Device, method, and graphical user interface for navigating through a user interface using a dynamic object selection indicator

ABSTRACT

A device that is in communication with a display and a touch-sensitive surface sends instructions to the display for displaying at least a portion of a user interface, the user interface having one or more selectable objects. The device receives an input that corresponds to a first gesture detected on the touch-sensitive surface; and sends instructions to the display for displaying an object selection indicator. In response to receiving the input that corresponds to the first gesture: the device searches for a target selectable object; and sends instructions to the display for moving the object selection indicator. When a target selectable object is identified, the device moves the object selection towards the target selectable object. When a target selectable object is not identified, the device moves the object selection indicator in accordance with the first gesture.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosed embodiments relate generally to electronic devices withtouch-sensitive surfaces, including but not limited to electronicdevices with touch-sensitive surfaces that are used to navigate througha user interface.

BACKGROUND

The use of touch-sensitive surfaces as input devices for computers andother electronic computing devices has increased significantly in recentyears. Exemplary touch-sensitive surfaces include touch pads and touchscreen displays. Such surfaces are widely used to navigate through userinterfaces.

Exemplary user interface navigation operations include scrolling througha user interface, selecting selectable objects within a user interfaceas well as activating selected objects within the user interface.Exemplary selectable objects include digital images, video, text blocks,hyperlinks, icons, and other objects with which a user is able tointeract. A user may need to perform user interface navigationoperations in virtually any computer program. For example, suchoperations may be performed in: an operating system (e.g., Mac OS X oriPhone OS from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.); a media display program(e.g., Front Row from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.); a set-top boxapplication (e.g., the Apple TV user interface from Apple Inc. ofCupertino, Calif.); a file management program (e.g., Finder from AppleInc. of Cupertino, Calif.), an image management application (e.g.,Aperture or iPhoto from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.), a digitalcontent (e.g., videos and music) management application (e.g., iTunesfrom Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.), a drawing application, apresentation application (e.g., Keynote from Apple Inc. of Cupertino,Calif.), a word processing application (e.g., Pages from Apple Inc. ofCupertino, Calif.), a website creation application (e.g., iWeb fromApple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.), a disk authoring application (e.g.,iDVD from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.), or a spreadsheet application(e.g., Numbers from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.).

But existing methods for performing these navigation operations arecumbersome and inefficient. For example, using a sequence of mouse-basedinputs to select one or more selectable objects and perform one or moreactions on the selected selectable objects is tedious and creates asignificant cognitive burden on a user. In addition, existing methodstake longer than necessary, thereby wasting energy. This latterconsideration is particularly important in battery-operated devices.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, there is a need for computing devices with faster, moreefficient methods and interfaces for navigating through user interfaces.Such methods and interfaces may complement or replace conventionalmethods for navigating through user interfaces. Such methods andinterfaces reduce the cognitive burden on a user and produce a moreefficient human-machine interface. For battery-operated computingdevices, such methods and interfaces conserve power and increase thetime between battery charges.

The above deficiencies and other problems associated with userinterfaces for computing devices that are in communication with one ormore displays and touch-sensitive surfaces are reduced or eliminated bythe disclosed devices, which navigate via control of a dynamic objectselection indicator. In some embodiments, the device is a desktopcomputer. In some embodiments, the device is portable (e.g., a notebookcomputer, tablet computer, or handheld device). In some embodiments, thedevice has a touchpad. In some embodiments, the device has atouch-sensitive display (also known as a “touch screen” or “touch screendisplay”). In some embodiments, the device has a graphical userinterface (GUI), one or more processors, memory and one or more modules,programs or sets of instructions stored in the memory for performingmultiple functions. In some embodiments, the user interacts with the GUIprimarily through finger contacts and gestures on the touch-sensitivesurface. In some embodiments, the functions may include image editing,drawing, presenting, word processing, website creating, disk authoring,spreadsheet making, game playing, telephoning, video conferencing,e-mailing, instant messaging, workout support, digital photographing,digital videoing, web browsing, digital music playing, and/or digitalvideo playing. Executable instructions for performing these functionsmay be included in a computer readable storage medium or other computerprogram product configured for execution by one or more processors.

In accordance with some embodiments, a computing device that is incommunication with a display and a touch-sensitive surface includes oneor more processors, memory, and one or more programs. The one or moreprograms are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by theone or more processors. The one or more programs include instructionsfor: sending instructions to the display for displaying at least aportion of a user interface, the user interface having one or moreselectable objects; receiving an input that corresponds to a firstgesture detected on the touch-sensitive surface; and sendinginstructions to the display for displaying an object selectionindicator. The one or more programs further include instructions for, inresponse to receiving the input that corresponds to the first gesture:searching for a target selectable object and sending instructions to thedisplay for moving the object selection indicator. When a targetselectable object is identified, moving the object selection indicatorincludes moving the object selection indicator towards the targetselectable object. When a target selectable object is not identified,moving the object selection indicator includes moving the objectselection indicator in accordance with the first gesture.

In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at acomputing device with one or more processors and memory that is incommunication with a display and a touch-sensitive surface. The methodincludes: sending instructions to the display for displaying at least aportion of a user interface, the user interface having one or moreselectable objects; receiving an input that corresponds to a firstgesture detected on the touch-sensitive surface; and sendinginstructions to the display for displaying an object selectionindicator. The method further includes, in response to receiving theinput that corresponds to the first gesture: searching for a targetselectable object; and sending instructions to the display for movingthe object selection indicator. When a target selectable object isidentified, moving the object selection indicator includes moving theobject selection indicator towards the target selectable object. When atarget selectable object is not identified, moving the object selectionindicator includes moving the object selection indicator in accordancewith the first gesture.

In accordance with some embodiments, a graphical user interface ondisplay that is in communication with a computing device that is incommunication with a touch-sensitive surface and includes memory, andone or more processors to execute one or more programs stored in thememory includes: an object selection indicator; and a portion of a userinterface having one or more selectable objects. An input is receivedthat corresponds to a first gesture detected on the touch-sensitivesurface and the object selection indicator is displayed. In response toreceiving the input that corresponds to the first gesture: a targetselectable object is searched for; and the object selection indicator ismoved. When a target selectable object is identified, the objectselection indicator is moved towards the target selectable object. Whena target selectable object is not identified, the object selectionindicator is moved in accordance with the first gesture.

In accordance with some embodiments, a computer readable storage mediumhas stored therein instructions which when executed by a computingdevice that is in communication with display and a touch-sensitivesurface, cause the device to: send instructions to the display fordisplaying at least a portion of a user interface, the user interfacehaving one or more selectable objects; receive an input that correspondsto a first gesture detected on the touch-sensitive surface; and sendinstructions to the display for displaying an object selectionindicator. The instructions further cause the device to, in response toreceiving the input that corresponds to the first gesture: search for atarget selectable object; and send instructions to the display formoving the object selection indicator. When a target selectable objectis identified, moving the object selection indicator includes moving theobject selection indicator towards the target selectable object. When atarget selectable object is not identified, moving the object selectionindicator includes moving the object selection indicator in accordancewith the first gesture.

In accordance with some embodiments, a computing device includes: meansfor communicating with a display; means for communicating with atouch-sensitive surface; means for sending instructions to the displayfor displaying at least a portion of a user interface, the userinterface having one or more selectable objects; means for receiving aninput that corresponds to a first gesture detected on thetouch-sensitive surface; and means for sending instructions to thedisplay for displaying an object selection indicator. The computingdevice further includes means, responsive to receiving the input thatcorresponds to the first gesture, for: searching for a target selectableobject; and sending instructions to the display for moving the objectselection indicator. When a target selectable object is identified,moving the object selection indicator includes moving the objectselection indicator towards the target selectable object. When a targetselectable object is not identified, moving the object selectionindicator includes moving the object selection indicator in accordancewith the first gesture.

In accordance with some embodiments, an information processing apparatusfor use in a computing device that is in communication with a displayand a touch-sensitive surface, the information processing apparatusincluding means for sending instructions to the display for displayingat least a portion of a user interface, the user interface having one ormore selectable objects; means for receiving an input that correspondsto a first gesture detected on the touch-sensitive surface; and meansfor sending instructions to the display for displaying an objectselection indicator. The information processing apparatus furtherincludes means, responsive to receiving the input that corresponds tothe first gesture, for: searching for a target selectable object; andsending instructions to the display for moving the object selectionindicator. When a target selectable object is identified, moving theobject selection indicator includes moving the object selectionindicator towards the target selectable object. When a target selectableobject is not identified, moving the object selection indicator includesmoving the object selection indicator in accordance with the firstgesture.

In accordance with some embodiments, a computing device that is incommunication with a display and a touch-sensitive surface includes oneor more processors, memory, and one or more programs. The one or moreprograms are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by theone or more processors. The one or more programs include instructionsfor: sending instructions to the display for displaying at least aportion of a user interface, the user interface having one or moreselectable objects; receiving an input that corresponds to a firstgesture detected on the touch-sensitive surface; and sendinginstructions to the display for displaying an object selection indicatorat a first size. The one or more programs further include instructionsfor, in response receiving the input that corresponds to the firstgesture, sending instructions to the display for moving the objectselection indicator towards a target selectable object of the one ormore selectable objects in accordance with the first gesture; and afterreceiving an input that corresponds to detecting an end of the firstgesture, sending instructions to the display for resizing the objectselection indicator to a second size. The second size is based on a sizeof the target selectable object, and the second size is distinct fromthe first size.

In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at acomputing device with one or more processors and memory that is incommunication with a display and a touch-sensitive surface. The methodincludes: sending instructions to the display for displaying at least aportion of a user interface, the user interface having one or moreselectable objects; receiving an input that corresponds to a firstgesture detected on the touch-sensitive surface; and sendinginstructions to the display for displaying an object selection indicatorat a first size. The method further includes, in response receiving theinput that corresponds to the first gesture, sending instructions to thedisplay for moving the object selection indicator towards a targetselectable object of the one or more selectable objects in accordancewith the first gesture; and after receiving an input that corresponds todetecting an end of the first gesture, sending instructions to thedisplay for resizing the object selection indicator to a second size.The second size is based on a size of the target selectable object, andthe second size is distinct from the first size.

In accordance with some embodiments, a graphical user interface ondisplay that is in communication with a computing device that is incommunication with a touch-sensitive surface and includes memory, andone or more processors to execute one or more programs stored in thememory includes an object selection indicator; and at least a portion ofa user interface having one or more selectable objects. An input isreceived that corresponds to a first gesture detected on thetouch-sensitive surface. The object selection indicator is displayed ata first size. In response to receiving the input that corresponds to thefirst gesture, the object selection indicator is moved towards a targetselectable object of the one or more selectable objects in accordancewith the first gesture. After receiving an input that corresponds todetecting an end of the first gesture, the object selection indicator isresized to a second size. The second size is based on a size of thetarget selectable object, and the second size is distinct from the firstsize.

In accordance with some embodiments, a computer readable storage mediumhas stored therein instructions which when executed by a computingdevice that is in communication with display and a touch-sensitivesurface, cause the device to: send instructions to the display fordisplaying at least a portion of a user interface, the user interfacehaving one or more selectable objects; receive an input that correspondsto a first gesture detected on the touch-sensitive surface; and sendinstructions to the display for displaying an object selection indicatorat a first size. The instructions further cause the device to, inresponse receiving the input that corresponds to the first gesture, sendinstructions to the display for moving the object selection indicatortowards a target selectable object of the one or more selectable objectsin accordance with the first gesture; and after receiving an input thatcorresponds to detecting an end of the first gesture, send instructionsto the display for resizing the object selection indicator to a secondsize. The second size is based on a size of the target selectableobject, and the second size is distinct from the first size.

In accordance with some embodiments, a computing device includes: meansfor communicating with a display; means for communicating with atouch-sensitive surface; means for sending instructions to the displayfor displaying at least a portion of a user interface, the userinterface having one or more selectable objects; means for receiving aninput that corresponds to a first gesture detected on thetouch-sensitive surface; means for sending instructions to the displayfor displaying an object selection indicator at a first size. Thecomputing device further includes means, responsive to receiving theinput that corresponds to the first gesture, for sending instructions tothe display for moving the object selection indicator towards a targetselectable object of the one or more selectable objects in accordancewith the first gesture; and means for, after receiving an input thatcorresponds to detecting an end of the first gesture, sendinginstructions to the display for resizing the object selection indicatorto a second size. The second size is based on a size of the targetselectable object, and the second size is distinct from the first size.

In accordance with some embodiments, an information processing apparatusfor use in a computing device that is in communication with a displayand a touch-sensitive surface, the information processing apparatusincluding means for sending instructions to the display for displayingat least a portion of a user interface, the user interface having one ormore selectable objects; means for receiving an input that correspondsto a first gesture detected on the touch-sensitive surface; means forsending instructions to the display for displaying an object selectionindicator at a first size. The information processing apparatus furtherincludes means, responsive to receiving the input that corresponds tothe first gesture, for sending instructions to the display for movingthe object selection indicator towards a target selectable object of theone or more selectable objects in accordance with the first gesture; andmeans for, after receiving an input that corresponds to detecting an endof the first gesture, sending instructions to the display for resizingthe object selection indicator to a second size. The second size isbased on a size of the target selectable object, and the second size isdistinct from the first size.

In accordance with some embodiments, a computing device that is incommunication with a display and a touch-sensitive surface includes oneor more processors, memory, and one or more programs. The one or moreprograms are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by theone or more processors. The one or more programs include instructionsfor: sending instructions to the display for displaying a portion of auser interface, the user interface having one or more selectableobjects; receiving an input that corresponds to a first gesture detectedon the touch-sensitive surface; and sending instructions to the displayfor displaying an object selection indicator. The one or more programsfurther include instructions for, in response to receiving the inputthat corresponds to the first gesture, determining an updated locationfor the object selection indicator within the user interface inaccordance with the first gesture. When the updated location is within aportion of the user interface that corresponds to a predefined region ofthe display, the predefined region being a subset of the display, theone or more programs further include instructions for sendinginstructions to the display for moving the object selection indicator tothe updated location without scrolling the user interface. When theupdated location is outside of the portion of the user interface thatcorresponds to the predefined region of the display, the one or moreprograms further include instructions for sending instructions to thedisplay for moving the object selection indicator to the updatedlocation and sending instructions to the display for scrolling the userinterface so as to display the updated location within the predefinedregion of the display.

In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at acomputing device with one or more processors and memory that is incommunication with a display and a touch-sensitive surface. The methodincludes: sending instructions to the display for displaying a portionof a user interface, the user interface having one or more selectableobjects; receiving an input that corresponds to a first gesture detectedon the touch-sensitive surface; and sending instructions to the displayfor displaying an object selection indicator. The method furtherincludes, in response to receiving the input that corresponds to thefirst gesture, determining an updated location for the object selectionindicator within the user interface in accordance with the firstgesture. When the updated location is within a portion of the userinterface that corresponds to a predefined region of the display, thepredefined region being a subset of the display, the method furtherincludes sending instructions to the display for moving the objectselection indicator to the updated location without scrolling the userinterface. When the updated location is outside of the portion of theuser interface that corresponds to the predefined region of the display,the method further includes sending instructions to the display formoving the object selection indicator to the updated location andsending instructions to the display for scrolling the user interface soas to display the updated location within the predefined region of thedisplay.

In accordance with some embodiments, a graphical user interface ondisplay that is in communication with a computing device that is incommunication with a touch-sensitive surface and includes memory, andone or more processors to execute one or more programs stored in thememory includes an object selection indicator; and a portion of a userinterface having one or more selectable objects. An input is receivedthat corresponds to a first gesture detected on the touch-sensitivesurface and the object selection indicator is displayed. In response toreceiving the input that corresponds to the first gesture, an updatedlocation for the object selection indicator within the user interface isdetermined in accordance with the first gesture. When the updatedlocation is within a portion of the user interface that corresponds to apredefined region of the display, the predefined region being a subsetof the display, the object selection indicator is moved to the updatedlocation without the user interface being scrolled. When the updatedlocation is outside of the portion of the user interface thatcorresponds to the predefined region of the display, the objectselection indicator is moved to the updated location and the userinterface is scrolled so as to display the updated location within thepredefined region of the display.

In accordance with some embodiments, a computer readable storage mediumhas stored therein instructions which when executed by a computingdevice that is in communication with display and a touch-sensitivesurface, cause the device to: send instructions to the display fordisplaying a portion of a user interface, the user interface having oneor more selectable objects; receive an input that corresponds to a firstgesture detected on the touch-sensitive surface; and send instructionsto the display for displaying an object selection indicator. Theinstructions further cause the device to, in response to receiving theinput that corresponds to the first gesture, determine an updatedlocation for the object selection indicator within the user interface inaccordance with the first gesture. When the updated location is within aportion of the user interface that corresponds to a predefined region ofthe display, the predefined region being a subset of the display, theinstructions further cause the device to send instructions to thedisplay for moving the object selection indicator to the updatedlocation without scrolling the user interface. When the updated locationis outside of the portion of the user interface that corresponds to thepredefined region of the display, the instructions further cause thedevice to send instructions to the display for moving the objectselection indicator to the updated location and send instructions to thedisplay for scrolling the user interface so as to display the updatedlocation within the predefined region of the display.

In accordance with some embodiments, a computing device includes: meansfor communicating with a display; means for communicating with atouch-sensitive surface; means for sending instructions to the displayfor displaying a portion of a user interface, the user interface havingone or more selectable objects; means for receiving an input thatcorresponds to a first gesture detected on the touch-sensitive surface;means for sending instructions to the display for displaying an objectselection indicator. The computing device further includes means,responsive to receiving the input that corresponds to the first gesture,for determining an updated location for the object selection indicatorwithin the user interface in accordance with the first gesture. Thecomputing device further includes means for, when the updated locationis within a portion of the user interface that corresponds to apredefined region of the display, the predefined region being a subsetof the display, sending instructions to the display for moving theobject selection indicator to the updated location without scrolling theuser interface. The computing device further includes means for, whenthe updated location is outside of the portion of the user interfacethat corresponds to the predefined region of the display, sendinginstructions to the display for moving the object selection indicator tothe updated location and sending instructions to the display forscrolling the user interface so as to display the updated locationwithin the predefined region of the display.

In accordance with some embodiments, an information processing apparatusfor use in a computing device that is in communication with a displayand a touch-sensitive surface, the information processing apparatusincluding means for sending instructions to the display for displaying aportion of a user interface, the user interface having one or moreselectable objects; means for receiving an input that corresponds to afirst gesture detected on the touch-sensitive surface; means for sendinginstructions to the display for displaying an object selectionindicator. The information processing apparatus further includes means,responsive to receiving the input that corresponds to the first gesture,for determining an updated location for the object selection indicatorwithin the user interface in accordance with the first gesture. Theinformation processing apparatus further includes means for, when theupdated location is within a portion of the user interface thatcorresponds to a predefined region of the display, the predefined regionbeing a subset of the display, sending instructions to the display formoving the object selection indicator to the updated location withoutscrolling the user interface. The information processing apparatusfurther includes means for, when the updated location is outside of theportion of the user interface that corresponds to the predefined regionof the display, sending instructions to the display for moving theobject selection indicator to the updated location and sendinginstructions to the display for scrolling the user interface so as todisplay the updated location within the predefined region of thedisplay.

In accordance with some embodiments, a computing device that is incommunication with a display and a touch-sensitive surface includes oneor more processors, memory, and one or more programs. The one or moreprograms are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by theone or more processors. The one or more programs include instructionsfor: sending instructions to the display for displaying, concurrently,an object selection indicator and a portion of a user interface, theuser interface having one or more selectable objects; sendinginstructions to the display for ceasing to display the object selectionindicator; and after sending instructions to the display for ceasing todisplay the object selection indicator, receiving an input thatcorresponds to a first gesture detected on the touch-sensitive surface.The one or more programs further include instructions for, in responseto receiving the input that corresponds to the first gesture: when thefirst gesture meets predefined navigation criteria, sending instructionsto the display for translating the user interface in accordance with thefirst gesture without redisplaying the object selection indicator, thenavigation criteria including a requirement that the first gesture has aduration that is less than a predefined time threshold; and when thefirst gesture meets predefined object selection indicator movementcriteria, sending instructions to the display for redisplaying theobject selection indicator and moving the object selection indicator inaccordance with the first gesture, the object selection indicatormovement criteria including a requirement that the first gesture has aduration that is greater than the predefined time threshold.

In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at acomputing device with one or more processors and memory that is incommunication with a display and a touch-sensitive surface. The methodincludes: sending instructions to the display for displaying,concurrently, an object selection indicator and a portion of a userinterface, the user interface having one or more selectable objects;sending instructions to the display for ceasing to display the objectselection indicator; and after sending instructions to the display forceasing to display the object selection indicator, receiving an inputthat corresponds to a first gesture detected on the touch-sensitivesurface. The method further includes, in response to receiving the inputthat corresponds to the first gesture: when the first gesture meetspredefined navigation criteria, sending instructions to the display fortranslating the user interface in accordance with the first gesturewithout redisplaying the object selection indicator, the navigationcriteria including a requirement that the first gesture has a durationthat is less than a predefined time threshold; and when the firstgesture meets predefined object selection indicator movement criteria,sending instructions to the display for redisplaying the objectselection indicator and moving the object selection indicator inaccordance with the first gesture, the object selection indicatormovement criteria including a requirement that the first gesture has aduration that is greater than the predefined time threshold.

In accordance with some embodiments, a graphical user interface ondisplay that is in communication with a computing device that is incommunication with a touch-sensitive surface and includes memory, andone or more processors to execute one or more programs stored in thememory includes an object selection indicator; and a portion of a userinterface having one or more selectable objects. The object selectionindicator ceases to be displayed. After the object selection indicatorceases to be displayed, an input is received that corresponds to a firstgesture detected on the touch-sensitive surface. In response toreceiving the input that corresponds to the first gesture: when thefirst gesture meets predefined navigation criteria, the user interfaceis translated in accordance with the first gesture without redisplayingthe object selection indicator, the navigation criteria including arequirement that the first gesture has a duration that is less than apredefined time threshold; and when the first gesture meets predefinedobject selection indicator movement criteria, the object selectionindicator is redisplayed and the object selection indicator is moved inaccordance with the first gesture, the object selection indicatormovement criteria including a requirement that the first gesture has aduration that is greater than the predefined time threshold.

In accordance with some embodiments, a computer readable storage mediumhas stored therein instructions which when executed by a computingdevice that is in communication with display and a touch-sensitivesurface, cause the device to: send instructions to the display fordisplaying, concurrently, an object selection indicator and a portion ofa user interface, the user interface having one or more selectableobjects; send instructions to the display for ceasing to display theobject selection indicator; and after sending instructions to thedisplay for ceasing to display the object selection indicator, receivean input that corresponds to a first gesture detected on thetouch-sensitive surface. The instructions further cause the device to,in response to receiving the input that corresponds to the firstgesture: when the first gesture meets predefined navigation criteria,send instructions to the display for translating the user interface inaccordance with the first gesture without redisplaying the objectselection indicator, the navigation criteria including a requirementthat the first gesture has a duration that is less than a predefinedtime threshold; and when the first gesture meets predefined objectselection indicator movement criteria, send instructions to the displayfor redisplaying the object selection indicator and moving the objectselection indicator in accordance with the first gesture, the objectselection indicator movement criteria including a requirement that thefirst gesture has a duration that is greater than the predefined timethreshold.

In accordance with some embodiments, a computing device includes: meansfor communicating with a display; means for communicating with atouch-sensitive surface; means for sending instructions to the displayfor displaying, concurrently, an object selection indicator and aportion of a user interface, the user interface having one or moreselectable objects; means for sending instructions to the display forceasing to display the object selection indicator; and means for, aftersending instructions to the display for ceasing to display the objectselection indicator, receiving an input that corresponds to a firstgesture detected on the touch-sensitive surface. The computing devicefurther includes means, responsive to receiving the input thatcorresponds to the first gesture, for: when the first gesture meetspredefined navigation criteria, sending instructions to the display fortranslating the user interface in accordance with the first gesturewithout redisplaying the object selection indicator, the navigationcriteria including a requirement that the first gesture has a durationthat is less than a predefined time threshold; and when the firstgesture meets predefined object selection indicator movement criteria,sending instructions to the display for redisplaying the objectselection indicator and moving the object selection indicator inaccordance with the first gesture, the object selection indicatormovement criteria including a requirement that the first gesture has aduration that is greater than the predefined time threshold.

In accordance with some embodiments, an information processing apparatusfor use in a computing device that is in communication with a displayand a touch-sensitive surface, the information processing apparatusincluding means for sending instructions to the display for displaying,concurrently, an object selection indicator and a portion of a userinterface, the user interface having one or more selectable objects;means for sending instructions to the display for ceasing to display theobject selection indicator; and means for, after sending instructions tothe display for ceasing to display the object selection indicator,receiving an input that corresponds to a first gesture detected on thetouch-sensitive surface. The information processing apparatus furtherincludes means, responsive to receiving the input that corresponds tothe first gesture, for: when the first gesture meets predefinednavigation criteria, sending instructions to the display for translatingthe user interface in accordance with the first gesture withoutredisplaying the object selection indicator, the navigation criteriaincluding a requirement that the first gesture has a duration that isless than a predefined time threshold; and when the first gesture meetspredefined object selection indicator movement criteria, sendinginstructions to the display for redisplaying the object selectionindicator and moving the object selection indicator in accordance withthe first gesture, the object selection indicator movement criteriaincluding a requirement that the first gesture has a duration that isgreater than the predefined time threshold.

Thus, computing devices that are in communication with and/or includeone or more displays and touch-sensitive surfaces are provided withfaster, more efficient methods and interfaces for navigating throughuser interfaces, thereby increasing the effectiveness, efficiency, anduser satisfaction with such devices. Such methods and interfaces maycomplement or replace conventional methods for navigating through userinterfaces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the aforementioned embodiments of theinvention as well as additional embodiments thereof, reference should bemade to the Description of Embodiments below, in conjunction with thefollowing drawings in which like reference numerals refer tocorresponding parts throughout the figures.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are block diagrams illustrating portable multifunctiondevices with touch-sensitive displays in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 1C is a block diagram illustrating exemplary components for eventhandling in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a portable multifunction device having a touch screenin accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary multifunction device with adisplay and a touch-sensitive surface in accordance with someembodiments.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate exemplary user interfaces for a menu ofapplications on a portable multifunction device in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 4C illustrates an exemplary user interface for a multifunctiondevice with a touch-sensitive surface that is combined with a display inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4D illustrates an exemplary user interface for a multifunctiondevice with a touch-sensitive surface that is separate from a display inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4E illustrates exemplary computing devices that are incommunication with a display and touch-sensitive surface where, for atleast a subset of the computing devices the display and/ortouch-sensitive surface is integrated into the computing device inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 5A-5SS illustrate exemplary user interfaces for navigating througha user interface using a dynamic object selection indicator inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 6A-6C are flow diagrams illustrating a method of identifying atarget selectable object and moving an object selection indicator to thetarget selectable object in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 7A-7C are flow diagrams illustrating a method of resizing anobject selection indicator based on a size of a target selectable objectin accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 8A-8E are flow diagrams illustrating a method of moving an objectselection indicator and scrolling a user interface in accordance withthe movement of the object selection indicator in accordance with someembodiments.

FIGS. 9A-9D are flow diagrams illustrating a method of navigatingthrough a user interface by translating a user interface or redisplayingan object selection indicator in accordance with some embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detaileddescription, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will beapparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present inventionmay be practiced without these specific details. In other instances,well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits, and networks havenot been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspectsof the embodiments.

It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc.may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements shouldnot be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguishone element from another. For example, a first contact could be termed asecond contact, and, similarly, a second contact could be termed a firstcontact, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thefirst contact and the second contact are both contacts, but they are notthe same contact.

The terminology used in the description of the invention herein is forthe purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is notintended to be limiting of the invention. As used in the description ofthe invention and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and“the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless thecontext clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that theterm “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and allpossible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Itwill be further understood that the terms “includes,” “including,”“comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification,specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon”or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,” dependingon the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [astated condition or event] is detected” may be construed to mean “upondetermining” or “in response to determining” or “upon detecting [thestated condition or event]” or “in response to detecting [the statedcondition or event],” depending on the context.

As used herein, the term “resolution” of a display refers to the numberof pixels (also called “pixel counts” or “pixel resolution”) along eachaxis or in each dimension of the display. For example, a display mayhave a resolution of 320×480 pixels. Furthermore, as used herein, theterm “resolution” of a multifunction device refers to the resolution ofa display in the multifunction device. The term “resolution” does notimply any limitations on the size of each pixel or the spacing ofpixels. For example, compared to a first display with a 1024×768-pixelresolution, a second display with a 320×480-pixel resolution has a lowerresolution. However, it should be noted that the physical size of adisplay depends not only on the pixel resolution, but also on many otherfactors, including the pixel size and the spacing of pixels. Therefore,the first display may have the same, smaller, or larger physical size,compared to the second display.

As used herein, the term “video resolution” of a display refers to thedensity of pixels along each axis or in each dimension of the display.The video resolution is often measured in a dots-per-inch (DPI) unit,which counts the number of pixels that can be placed in a line withinthe span of one inch along a respective dimension of the display.

Embodiments of computing devices, user interfaces for such devices, andassociated processes for using such devices are described. In someembodiments, the computing device is a portable communications device,such as a mobile telephone, that also contains other functions, such asPDA and/or music player functions. Exemplary embodiments of portablemultifunction devices include, without limitation, the iPhone® iPodTouch® and iPad® devices from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. Otherportable devices, such as laptops or tablet computers withtouch-sensitive surfaces (e.g., touch screen displays and/or touchpads), may also be used. It should also be understood that, in someembodiments, the device is not a portable communications device, but isa desktop computer with a touch-sensitive surface (e.g., a touch screendisplay and/or a touch pad).

In the discussion that follows, a computing device that communicateswith and/or includes a display and a touch-sensitive surface isdescribed. It should be understood, however, that the computing devicemay include one or more other physical user-interface devices, such as aphysical keyboard, a mouse and/or a joystick.

The device supports a variety of applications, such as one or more ofthe following: a drawing application, a presentation application, a wordprocessing application, a website creation application, a disk authoringapplication, a spreadsheet application, a gaming application, atelephone application, a video conferencing application, an e-mailapplication, an instant messaging application, a workout supportapplication, a photo management application, a digital cameraapplication, a digital video camera application, a web browsingapplication, a digital music player application, and/or a digital videoplayer application.

The various applications that may be executed on the device may use atleast one common physical user-interface device, such as thetouch-sensitive surface. One or more functions of the touch-sensitivesurface as well as corresponding information displayed on the device maybe adjusted and/or varied from one application to the next and/or withina respective application. In this way, a common physical architecture(such as the touch-sensitive surface) of the device may support thevariety of applications with user interfaces that are intuitive andtransparent to the user.

The user interfaces may include one or more soft keyboard embodiments.The soft keyboard embodiments may include standard (QWERTY) and/ornon-standard configurations of symbols on the displayed icons of thekeyboard, such as those described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/459,606, “Keyboards For Portable Electronic Devices,” filed Jul. 24,2006, and Ser. No. 11/459,615, “Touch Screen Keyboards For PortableElectronic Devices,” filed Jul. 24, 2006, the contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. The keyboardembodiments may include a reduced number of icons (or soft keys)relative to the number of keys in existing physical keyboards, such asthat for a typewriter. This may make it easier for users to select oneor more icons in the keyboard, and thus, one or more correspondingsymbols. The keyboard embodiments may be adaptive. For example,displayed icons may be modified in accordance with user actions, such asselecting one or more icons and/or one or more corresponding symbols.One or more applications on the device may utilize common and/ordifferent keyboard embodiments. Thus, the keyboard embodiment used maybe tailored to at least some of the applications. In some embodiments,one or more keyboard embodiments may be tailored to a respective user.For example, one or more keyboard embodiments may be tailored to arespective user based on a word usage history (lexicography, slang,individual usage) of the respective user. Some of the keyboardembodiments may be adjusted to reduce a probability of a user error whenselecting one or more icons, and thus one or more symbols, when usingthe soft keyboard embodiments.

Attention is now directed toward embodiments of portable devices withtouch-sensitive displays. FIGS. 1A and 1B are block diagramsillustrating portable multifunction devices 100 with touch-sensitivedisplays 112 in accordance with some embodiments. Touch-sensitivedisplay 112 is sometimes called a “touch screen” for convenience, andmay also be known as or called a touch-sensitive display system. Device100 may include memory 102 (which may include one or more computerreadable storage mediums), memory controller 122, one or more processingunits (CPU's) 120, peripherals interface 118, RF circuitry 108, audiocircuitry 110, speaker 111, microphone 113, input/output (I/O) subsystem106, other input or control devices 116, and external port 124. Device100 may include one or more optical sensors 164. These components maycommunicate over one or more communication buses or signal lines 103.

It should be appreciated that device 100 is only one example of aportable multifunction device, and that device 100 may have more orfewer components than shown, may combine two or more components, or mayhave a different configuration or arrangement of the components. Thevarious components shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B may be implemented inhardware, software, or a combination of both hardware and software,including one or more signal processing and/or application specificintegrated circuits.

Memory 102 may include high-speed random access memory and may alsoinclude non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storagedevices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid-state memorydevices. Access to memory 102 by other components of device 100, such asCPU 120 and the peripherals interface 118, may be controlled by memorycontroller 122.

Peripherals interface 118 can be used to couple input and outputperipherals of the device to CPU 120 and memory 102. The one or moreprocessors 120 run or execute various software programs and/or sets ofinstructions stored in memory 102 to perform various functions fordevice 100 and to process data.

In some embodiments, peripherals interface 118, CPU 120, and memorycontroller 122 may be implemented on a single chip, such as chip 104. Insome other embodiments, they may be implemented on separate chips.

RF (radio frequency) circuitry 108 receives and sends RF signals, alsocalled electromagnetic signals. RF circuitry 108 converts electricalsignals to/from electromagnetic signals and communicates withcommunications networks and other communications devices via theelectromagnetic signals. RF circuitry 108 may include well-knowncircuitry for performing these functions, including but not limited toan antenna system, an RF transceiver, one or more amplifiers, a tuner,one or more oscillators, a digital signal processor, a CODEC chipset, asubscriber identity module (SIM) card, memory, and so forth. RFcircuitry 108 may communicate with networks, such as the Internet, alsoreferred to as the World Wide Web (WWW), an intranet and/or a wirelessnetwork, such as a cellular telephone network, a wireless local areanetwork (LAN) and/or a metropolitan area network (MAN), and otherdevices by wireless communication. The wireless communication may useany of a plurality of communications standards, protocols andtechnologies, including but not limited to Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), high-speeddownlink packet access (HSDPA), wideband code division multiple access(W-CDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multipleaccess (TDMA), Bluetooth, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) (e.g., IEEE 802.11a,IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g and/or IEEE 802.11n), voice over InternetProtocol (VoIP), Wi-MAX, a protocol for e-mail (e.g., Internet messageaccess protocol (IMAP) and/or post office protocol (POP)), instantmessaging (e.g., extensible messaging and presence protocol (XMPP),Session Initiation Protocol for Instant Messaging and PresenceLeveraging Extensions (SIMPLE), Instant Messaging and Presence Service(IMPS)), and/or Short Message Service (SMS), or any other suitablecommunication protocol, including communication protocols not yetdeveloped as of the filing date of this document.

Audio circuitry 110, speaker 111, and microphone 113 provide an audiointerface between a user and device 100. Audio circuitry 110 receivesaudio data from peripherals interface 118, converts the audio data to anelectrical signal, and transmits the electrical signal to speaker 111.Speaker 111 converts the electrical signal to human-audible sound waves.Audio circuitry 110 also receives electrical signals converted bymicrophone 113 from sound waves. Audio circuitry 110 converts theelectrical signal to audio data and transmits the audio data toperipherals interface 118 for processing. Audio data may be retrievedfrom and/or transmitted to memory 102 and/or RF circuitry 108 byperipherals interface 118. In some embodiments, audio circuitry 110 alsoincludes a headset jack (e.g., 212, FIG. 2). The headset jack providesan interface between audio circuitry 110 and removable audioinput/output peripherals, such as output-only headphones or a headsetwith both output (e.g., a headphone for one or both ears) and input(e.g., a microphone).

I/O subsystem 106 couples input/output peripherals on device 100, suchas touch screen 112 and other input control devices 116, to peripheralsinterface 118. I/O subsystem 106 may include display controller 156 andone or more input controllers 160 for other input or control devices.The one or more input controllers 160 receive/send electrical signalsfrom/to other input or control devices 116. The other input controldevices 116 may include physical buttons (e.g., push buttons, rockerbuttons, etc.), dials, slider switches, joysticks, click wheels, and soforth. In some alternate embodiments, input controller(s) 160 may becoupled to any (or none) of the following: a keyboard, infrared port,USB port, and a pointer device such as a mouse. The one or more buttons(e.g., 208, FIG. 2) may include an up/down button for volume control ofspeaker 111 and/or microphone 113. The one or more buttons may include apush button (e.g., 206, FIG. 2). A quick press of the push button maydisengage a lock of touch screen 112 or begin a process that usesgestures on the touch screen to unlock the device, as described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/322,549, “Unlocking a Device byPerforming Gestures on an Unlock Image,” filed Dec. 23, 2005, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. A longer press of thepush button (e.g., 206) may turn power to device 100 on or off. The usermay be able to customize a functionality of one or more of the buttons.Touch screen 112 is used to implement virtual or soft buttons and one ormore soft keyboards.

Touch-sensitive display 112 provides an input interface and an outputinterface between the device and a user. Display controller 156 receivesand/or sends electrical signals from/to touch screen 112. Touch screen112 displays visual output to the user. The visual output may includegraphics, text, icons, video, and any combination thereof (collectivelytermed “graphics”). In some embodiments, some or all of the visualoutput may correspond to user-interface objects.

Touch screen 112 has a touch-sensitive surface, sensor or set of sensorsthat accepts input from the user based on haptic and/or tactile contact.Touch screen 112 and display controller 156 (along with any associatedmodules and/or sets of instructions in memory 102) detect contact (andany movement or breaking of the contact) on touch screen 112 andconverts the detected contact into interaction with user-interfaceobjects (e.g., one or more soft keys, icons, web pages or images) thatare displayed on touch screen 112. In an exemplary embodiment, a pointof contact between touch screen 112 and the user corresponds to a fingerof the user.

Touch screen 112 may use LCD (liquid crystal display) technology, LPD(light emitting polymer display) technology, or LED (light emittingdiode) technology, although other display technologies may be used inother embodiments. Touch screen 112 and display controller 156 maydetect contact and any movement or breaking thereof using any of aplurality of touch sensing technologies now known or later developed,including but not limited to capacitive, resistive, infrared, andsurface acoustic wave technologies, as well as other proximity sensorarrays or other elements for determining one or more points of contactwith touch screen 112. In an exemplary embodiment, projected mutualcapacitance sensing technology is used, such as that found in theiPhone® and iPod Touch® from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.

A touch-sensitive display in some embodiments of touch screen 112 may beanalogous to the multi-touch sensitive touchpads described in thefollowing U.S. Patents: U.S. Pat. No. 6,323,846 (Westerman et al.), U.S.Pat. No. 6,570,557 (Westerman et al.), and/or U.S. Pat. No. 6,677,932(Westerman), and/or U.S. Patent Publication 2002/0015024A1, each ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. However,touch screen 112 displays visual output from portable device 100,whereas touch sensitive touchpads do not provide visual output.

A touch-sensitive display in some embodiments of touch screen 112 may beas described in the following applications: (1) U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/381,313, “Multipoint Touch Surface Controller,” filed May 2,2006; (2) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/840,862, “MultipointTouchscreen,” filed May 6, 2004; (3) U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/903,964, “Gestures For Touch Sensitive Input Devices,” filed Jul. 30,2004; (4) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/048,264, “Gestures ForTouch Sensitive Input Devices,” filed Jan. 31, 2005; (5) U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/038,590, “Mode-Based Graphical User InterfacesFor Touch Sensitive Input Devices,” filed Jan. 18, 2005; (6) U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/228,758, “Virtual Input Device Placement On ATouch Screen User Interface,” filed Sep. 16, 2005; (7) U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/228,700, “Operation Of A Computer With A TouchScreen Interface,” filed Sep. 16, 2005; (8) U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/228,737, “Activating Virtual Keys Of A Touch-Screen VirtualKeyboard,” filed Sep. 16, 2005; and (9) U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/367,749, “Multi-Functional Hand-Held Device,” filed Mar. 3, 2006. Allof these applications are incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety.

Touch screen 112 may have a video resolution in excess of 100 dpi. Insome embodiments, the touch screen has a video resolution ofapproximately 160 dpi. The user may make contact with touch screen 112using any suitable object or appendage, such as a stylus, a finger, andso forth. In some embodiments, the user interface is designed to workprimarily with finger-based contacts and gestures, which can be lessprecise than stylus-based input due to the larger area of contact of afinger on the touch screen. In some embodiments, the device translatesthe rough finger-based input into a precise pointer/cursor position orcommand for performing the actions desired by the user.

In some embodiments, in addition to the touch screen, device 100 mayinclude a touchpad (not shown) for activating or deactivating particularfunctions. In some embodiments, the touchpad is a touch-sensitive areaof the device that, unlike the touch screen, does not display visualoutput. The touchpad may be a touch-sensitive surface that is separatefrom touch screen 112 or an extension of the touch-sensitive surfaceformed by the touch screen.

In some embodiments, device 100 may include a physical or virtual wheel(e.g., a click wheel) as input control device 116. A user may navigateamong and interact with one or more graphical objects (e.g., icons)displayed in touch screen 112 by rotating the click wheel or by moving apoint of contact with the click wheel (e.g., where the amount ofmovement of the point of contact is measured by its angular displacementwith respect to a center point of the click wheel). The click wheel mayalso be used to select one or more of the displayed icons. For example,the user may press down on at least a portion of the click wheel or anassociated button. User commands and navigation commands provided by theuser via the click wheel may be processed by input controller 160 aswell as one or more of the modules and/or sets of instructions in memory102. For a virtual click wheel, the click wheel and click wheelcontroller may be part of touch screen 112 and display controller 156,respectively. For a virtual click wheel, the click wheel may be eitheran opaque or semitransparent object that appears and disappears on thetouch screen display in response to user interaction with the device. Insome embodiments, a virtual click wheel is displayed on the touch screenof a portable multifunction device and operated by user contact with thetouch screen.

Device 100 also includes power system 162 for powering the variouscomponents. Power system 162 may include a power management system, oneor more power sources (e.g., battery, alternating current (AC)), arecharging system, a power failure detection circuit, a power converteror inverter, a power status indicator (e.g., a light-emitting diode(LED)) and any other components associated with the generation,management and distribution of power in portable devices.

Device 100 may also include one or more optical sensors 164. FIGS. 1Aand 1B show an optical sensor coupled to optical sensor controller 158in I/O subsystem 106. Optical sensor 164 may include charge-coupleddevice (CCD) or complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)phototransistors. Optical sensor 164 receives light from theenvironment, projected through one or more lens, and converts the lightto data representing an image. In conjunction with imaging module 143(also called a camera module), optical sensor 164 may capture stillimages or video. In some embodiments, an optical sensor is located onthe back of device 100, opposite touch screen display 112 on the frontof the device, so that the touch screen display may be used as aviewfinder for still and/or video image acquisition. In someembodiments, an optical sensor is located on the front of the device sothat the user's image may be obtained for videoconferencing while theuser views the other video conference participants on the touch screendisplay. In some embodiments, the position of optical sensor 164 can bechanged by the user (e.g., by rotating the lens and the sensor in thedevice housing) so that a single optical sensor 164 may be used alongwith the touch screen display for both video conferencing and stilland/or video image acquisition.

Device 100 may also include one or more proximity sensors 166. FIGS. 1Aand 1B show proximity sensor 166 coupled to peripherals interface 118.Alternately, proximity sensor 166 may be coupled to input controller 160in I/O subsystem 106. Proximity sensor 166 may perform as described inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/241,839, “Proximity Detector InHandheld Device”; Ser. No. 11/240,788, “Proximity Detector In HandheldDevice”; Ser. No. 11/620,702, “Using Ambient Light Sensor To AugmentProximity Sensor Output”; Ser. No. 11/586,862, “Automated Response ToAnd Sensing Of User Activity In Portable Devices”; and Ser. No.11/638,251, “Methods And Systems For Automatic Configuration OfPeripherals,” which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety. In some embodiments, the proximity sensor turns off anddisables touch screen 112 when the multifunction device is placed nearthe user's ear (e.g., when the user is making a phone call).

Device 100 may also include one or more accelerometers 168. FIGS. 1A and1B show accelerometer 168 coupled to peripherals interface 118.Alternately, accelerometer 168 may be coupled to an input controller 160in I/O subsystem 106. Accelerometer 168 may perform as described in U.S.Patent Publication No. 20050190059, “Acceleration-based Theft DetectionSystem for Portable Electronic Devices,” and U.S. Patent Publication No.20060017692, “Methods And Apparatuses For Operating A Portable DeviceBased On An Accelerometer,” both of which are which are incorporated byreference herein in their entirety. In some embodiments, information isdisplayed on the touch screen display in a portrait view or a landscapeview based on an analysis of data received from the one or moreaccelerometers. Device 100 optionally includes, in addition toaccelerometer(s) 168, a magnetometer (not shown) and a GPS (or GLONASSor other global navigation system) receiver (not shown) for obtaininginformation concerning the location and orientation (e.g., portrait orlandscape) of device 100.

In some embodiments, the software components stored in memory 102include operating system 126, communication module (or set ofinstructions) 128, contact/motion module (or set of instructions) 130,graphics module (or set of instructions) 132, text input module (or setof instructions) 134, Global Positioning System (GPS) module (or set ofinstructions) 135, and applications (or sets of instructions) 136.Furthermore, in some embodiments memory 102 stores device/globalinternal state 157, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 3. Device/globalinternal state 157 includes one or more of: active application state,indicating which applications, if any, are currently active; displaystate, indicating what applications, views or other information occupyvarious regions of touch screen display 112; sensor state, includinginformation obtained from the device's various sensors and input controldevices 116; and location information concerning the device's locationand/or attitude.

Operating system 126 (e.g., Darwin, RTXC, LINUX, UNIX, OS X, WINDOWS, oran embedded operating system such as VxWorks) includes various softwarecomponents and/or drivers for controlling and managing general systemtasks (e.g., memory management, storage device control, powermanagement, etc.) and facilitates communication between various hardwareand software components.

Communication module 128 facilitates communication with other devicesover one or more external ports 124 and also includes various softwarecomponents for handling data received by RF circuitry 108 and/orexternal port 124. External port 124 (e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB),FIREWIRE, etc.) is adapted for coupling directly to other devices orindirectly over a network (e.g., the Internet, wireless LAN, etc.). Insome embodiments, the external port is a multi-pin (e.g., 30-pin)connector that is the same as, or similar to and/or compatible with the30-pin connector used on iPod (trademark of Apple Inc.) devices.

Contact/motion module 130 may detect contact with touch screen 112 (inconjunction with display controller 156) and other touch sensitivedevices (e.g., a touchpad or physical click wheel). Contact/motionmodule 130 includes various software components for performing variousoperations related to detection of contact, such as determining ifcontact has occurred (e.g., detecting a finger-down event), determiningif there is movement of the contact and tracking the movement across thetouch-sensitive surface (e.g., detecting one or more finger-draggingevents), and determining if the contact has ceased (e.g., detecting afinger-up event or a break in contact). Contact/motion module 130receives contact data from the touch-sensitive surface. Determiningmovement of the point of contact, which is represented by a series ofcontact data, may include determining speed (magnitude), velocity(magnitude and direction), and/or an acceleration (a change in magnitudeand/or direction) of the point of contact. These operations may beapplied to single contacts (e.g., one finger contacts) or to multiplesimultaneous contacts (e.g., “multitouch”/multiple finger contacts). Insome embodiments, contact/motion module 130 and display controller 156detects contact on a touchpad. In some embodiments, contact/motionmodule 130 and controller 160 detects contact on a click wheel.

Contact/motion module 130 may detect a gesture input by a user.Different gestures on the touch-sensitive surface have different contactpatterns. Thus, a gesture may be detected by detecting a particularcontact pattern. For example, detecting a finger tap gesture includesdetecting a finger-down event followed by detecting a finger-up (liftoff) event at the same position (or substantially the same position) asthe finger-down event (e.g., at the position of an icon). As anotherexample, detecting a finger swipe gesture on the touch-sensitive surfaceincludes detecting a finger-down event followed by detecting one or morefinger-dragging events, and subsequently followed by detecting afinger-up (lift off) event.

Graphics module 132 includes various known software components forrendering and displaying graphics on touch screen 112 or other display,including components for changing the intensity of graphics that aredisplayed. As used herein, the term “graphics” includes any object thatcan be displayed to a user, including without limitation text, webpages, icons (such as user-interface objects including soft keys),digital images, videos, animations and the like.

In some embodiments, graphics module 132 stores data representinggraphics to be used. Each graphic may be assigned a corresponding code.Graphics module 132 receives, from applications etc., one or more codesspecifying graphics to be displayed along with, if necessary, coordinatedata and other graphic property data, and then generates screen imagedata to output to display controller 156.

Text input module 134, which may be a component of graphics module 132,provides soft keyboards for entering text in various applications (e.g.,contacts 137, e-mail 140, IM 141, browser 147, and any other applicationthat needs text input).

GPS module 135 determines the location of the device and provides thisinformation for use in various applications (e.g., to telephone 138 foruse in location-based dialing, to camera 143 as picture/video metadata,and to applications that provide location-based services such as weatherwidgets, local yellow page widgets, and map/navigation widgets).

Applications 136 may include the following modules (or sets ofinstructions), or a subset or superset thereof:

-   -   contacts module 137 (sometimes called an address book or contact        list);    -   telephone module 138;    -   video conferencing module 139;    -   e-mail client module 140;    -   instant messaging (IM) module 141;    -   workout support module 142;    -   camera module 143 for still and/or video images;    -   image management module 144;    -   video player module 145;    -   music player module 146;    -   browser module 147;    -   calendar module 148;    -   widget modules 149, which may include one or more of: weather        widget 149-1, stocks widget 149-2, calculator widget 149-3,        alarm clock widget 149-4, dictionary widget 149-5, and other        widgets obtained by the user, as well as user-created widgets        149-6;    -   widget creator module 150 for making user-created widgets 149-6;    -   search module 151;    -   video and music player module 152, which merges video player        module 145 and music player module 146;    -   notes module 153;    -   map module 154; and/or    -   online video module 155.

Examples of other applications 136 that may be stored in memory 102include other word processing applications, other image editingapplications, drawing applications, presentation applications,JAVA-enabled applications, encryption, digital rights management, voicerecognition, and voice replication.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, contactmodule 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, contactsmodule 137 may be used to manage an address book or contact list (e.g.,stored in application internal state 192 of contacts module 137 inmemory 102 or memory 370), including: adding name(s) to the addressbook; deleting name(s) from the address book; associating telephonenumber(s), e-mail address(es), physical address(es) or other informationwith a name; associating an image with a name; categorizing and sortingnames; providing telephone numbers or e-mail addresses to initiateand/or facilitate communications by telephone 138, video conference 139,e-mail 140, or IM 141; and so forth.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, audio circuitry 110, speaker 111,microphone 113, touch screen 112, display controller 156, contact module130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, telephone module138 may be used to enter a sequence of characters corresponding to atelephone number, access one or more telephone numbers in address book137, modify a telephone number that has been entered, dial a respectivetelephone number, conduct a conversation and disconnect or hang up whenthe conversation is completed. As noted above, the wirelesscommunication may use any of a plurality of communications standards,protocols and technologies.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, audio circuitry 110, speaker 111,microphone 113, touch screen 112, display controller 156, optical sensor164, optical sensor controller 158, contact module 130, graphics module132, text input module 134, contact list 137, and telephone module 138,videoconferencing module 139 includes executable instructions toinitiate, conduct, and terminate a video conference between a user andone or more other participants in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, displaycontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text inputmodule 134, e-mail client module 140 includes executable instructions tocreate, send, receive, and manage e-mail in response to userinstructions. In conjunction with image management module 144, e-mailclient module 140 makes it very easy to create and send e-mails withstill or video images taken with camera module 143.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, displaycontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text inputmodule 134, the instant messaging module 141 includes executableinstructions to enter a sequence of characters corresponding to aninstant message, to modify previously entered characters, to transmit arespective instant message (for example, using a Short Message Service(SMS) or Multimedia Message Service (MMS) protocol for telephony-basedinstant messages or using XMPP, SIMPLE, or IMPS for Internet-basedinstant messages), to receive instant messages and to view receivedinstant messages. In some embodiments, transmitted and/or receivedinstant messages may include graphics, photos, audio files, video filesand/or other attachments as are supported in a MMS and/or an EnhancedMessaging Service (EMS). As used herein, “instant messaging” refers toboth telephony-based messages (e.g., messages sent using SMS or MMS) andInternet-based messages (e.g., messages sent using XMPP, SIMPLE, orIMPS).

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, displaycontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, GPS module 135, map module 154, and music player module 146,workout support module 142 includes executable instructions to createworkouts (e.g., with time, distance, and/or calorie burning goals);communicate with workout sensors (sports devices); receive workoutsensor data; calibrate sensors used to monitor a workout; select andplay music for a workout; and display, store and transmit workout data.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, opticalsensor(s) 164, optical sensor controller 158, contact module 130,graphics module 132, and image management module 144, camera module 143includes executable instructions to capture still images or video(including a video stream) and store them into memory 102, modifycharacteristics of a still image or video, or delete a still image orvideo from memory 102.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, contactmodule 130, graphics module 132, text input module 134, and cameramodule 143, image management module 144 includes executable instructionsto arrange, modify (e.g., edit), or otherwise manipulate, label, delete,present (e.g., in a digital slide show or album), and store still and/orvideo images.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, contactmodule 130, graphics module 132, audio circuitry 110, and speaker 111,video player module 145 includes executable instructions to display,present or otherwise play back videos (e.g., on touch screen 112 or onan external, connected display via external port 124).

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display system controller 156,contact module 130, graphics module 132, audio circuitry 110, speaker111, RF circuitry 108, and browser module 147, music player module 146includes executable instructions that allow the user to download andplay back recorded music and other sound files stored in one or morefile formats, such as MP3 or AAC files. In some embodiments, device 100may include the functionality of an MP3 player, such as an iPod(trademark of Apple Inc.).

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text inputmodule 134, browser module 147 includes executable instructions tobrowse the Internet in accordance with user instructions, includingsearching, linking to, receiving, and displaying web pages or portionsthereof, as well as attachments and other files linked to web pages.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, e-mail client module 140, and browser module 147, calendarmodule 148 includes executable instructions to create, display, modify,and store calendars and data associated with calendars (e.g., calendarentries, to do lists, etc.) in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, and browser module 147, widget modules 149 aremini-applications that may be downloaded and used by a user (e.g.,weather widget 149-1, stocks widget 149-2, calculator widget 149-3,alarm clock widget 149-4, and dictionary widget 149-5) or created by theuser (e.g., user-created widget 149-6). In some embodiments, a widgetincludes an HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) file, a CSS (CascadingStyle Sheets) file, and a JavaScript file. In some embodiments, a widgetincludes an XML (Extensible Markup Language) file and a JavaScript file(e.g., Yahoo! Widgets).

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, and browser module 147, the widget creator module 150 may beused by a user to create widgets (e.g., turning a user-specified portionof a web page into a widget).

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display system controller 156,contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134,search module 151 includes executable instructions to search for text,music, sound, image, video, and/or other files in memory 102 that matchone or more search criteria (e.g., one or more user-specified searchterms) in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, contactmodule 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, notes module153 includes executable instructions to create and manage notes, to dolists, and the like in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, GPS module 135, and browser module 147, map module 154 maybe used to receive, display, modify, and store maps and data associatedwith maps (e.g., driving directions; data on stores and other points ofinterest at or near a particular location; and other location-baseddata) in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display system controller 156,contact module 130, graphics module 132, audio circuitry 110, speaker111, RF circuitry 108, text input module 134, e-mail client module 140,and browser module 147, online video module 155 includes instructionsthat allow the user to access, browse, receive (e.g., by streamingand/or download), play back (e.g., on the touch screen or on anexternal, connected display via external port 124), send an e-mail witha link to a particular online video, and otherwise manage online videosin one or more file formats, such as H.264. In some embodiments, instantmessaging module 141, rather than e-mail client module 140, is used tosend a link to a particular online video. Additional description of theonline video application can be found in U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/936,562, “Portable Multifunction Device, Method, andGraphical User Interface for Playing Online Videos,” filed Jun. 20,2007, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/968,067, “PortableMultifunction Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for PlayingOnline Videos,” filed Dec. 31, 2007, the content of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

Each of the above identified modules and applications correspond to aset of executable instructions for performing one or more functionsdescribed above and the methods described in this application (e.g., thecomputer-implemented methods and other information processing methodsdescribed herein). These modules (i.e., sets of instructions) need notbe implemented as separate software programs, procedures or modules, andthus various subsets of these modules may be combined or otherwisere-arranged in various embodiments. For example, video player module 145may be combined with music player module 146 into a single module (e.g.,video and music player module 152, FIG. 1B). In some embodiments, memory102 may store a subset of the modules and data structures identifiedabove. Furthermore, memory 102 may store additional modules and datastructures not described above.

In some embodiments, device 100 is a device where operation of apredefined set of functions on the device is performed exclusivelythrough a touch screen and/or a touchpad. By using a touch screen and/ora touchpad as the primary input control device for operation of device100, the number of physical input control devices (such as push buttons,dials, and the like) on device 100 may be reduced.

The predefined set of functions that may be performed exclusivelythrough a touch screen and/or a touchpad include navigation between userinterfaces. In some embodiments, the touchpad, when touched by the user,navigates device 100 to a main, home, or root menu from any userinterface that may be displayed on device 100. In such embodiments, thetouchpad may be referred to as a “menu button.” In some otherembodiments, the menu button may be a physical push button or otherphysical input control device instead of a touchpad.

FIG. 1C is a block diagram illustrating exemplary components for eventhandling in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments,memory 102 (in FIGS. 1A and 1B) or 370 (FIG. 3) includes event sorter170 (e.g., in operating system 126) and a respective application 136-1(e.g., any of the aforementioned applications 137-151, 155, 380-390).

Event sorter 170 receives event information and determines theapplication 136-1 and application view 191 of application 136-1 to whichto deliver the event information. Event sorter 170 includes eventmonitor 171 and event dispatcher module 174. In some embodiments,application 136-1 includes application internal state 192, whichindicates the current application view(s) displayed on touch sensitivedisplay 112 when the application is active or executing. In someembodiments, device/global internal state 157 is used by event sorter170 to determine which application(s) is(are) currently active, andapplication internal state 192 is used by event sorter 170 to determineapplication views 191 to which to deliver event information.

In some embodiments, application internal state 192 includes additionalinformation, such as one or more of: resume information to be used whenapplication 136-1 resumes execution, user interface state informationthat indicates information being displayed or that is ready for displayby application 136-1, a state queue for enabling the user to go back toa prior state or view of application 136-1, and a redo/undo queue ofprevious actions taken by the user.

Event monitor 171 receives event information from peripherals interface118. Event information includes information about a sub-event (e.g., auser touch on touch-sensitive display 112, as part of a multi-touchgesture). Peripherals interface 118 transmits information it receivesfrom I/O subsystem 106 or a sensor, such as proximity sensor 166,accelerometer(s) 168, and/or microphone 113 (through audio circuitry110). Information that peripherals interface 118 receives from I/Osubsystem 106 includes information from touch-sensitive display 112 or atouch-sensitive surface.

In some embodiments, event monitor 171 sends requests to the peripheralsinterface 118 at predetermined intervals. In response, peripheralsinterface 118 transmits event information. In other embodiments,peripheral interface 118 transmits event information only when there isa significant event (e.g., receiving an input above a predeterminednoise threshold and/or for more than a predetermined duration).

In some embodiments, event sorter 170 also includes a hit viewdetermination module 172 and/or an active event recognizer determinationmodule 173.

Hit view determination module 172 provides software procedures fordetermining where a sub-event has taken place within one or more views,when touch sensitive display 112 displays more than one view. Views aremade up of controls and other elements that a user can see on thedisplay.

Another aspect of the user interface associated with an application is aset of views, sometimes herein called application views or userinterface windows, in which information is displayed and touch-basedgestures occur. The application views (of a respective application) inwhich a touch is detected may correspond to programmatic levels within aprogrammatic or view hierarchy of the application. For example, thelowest level view in which a touch is detected may be called the hitview, and the set of events that are recognized as proper inputs may bedetermined based, at least in part, on the hit view of the initial touchthat begins a touch-based gesture.

Hit view determination module 172 receives information related tosub-events of a touch-based gesture. When an application has multipleviews organized in a hierarchy, hit view determination module 172identifies a hit view as the lowest view in the hierarchy which shouldhandle the sub-event. In most circumstances, the hit view is the lowestlevel view in which an initiating sub-event occurs (i.e., the firstsub-event in the sequence of sub-events that form an event or potentialevent). Once the hit view is identified by the hit view determinationmodule, the hit view typically receives all sub-events related to thesame touch or input source for which it was identified as the hit view.

Active event recognizer determination module 173 determines which viewor views within a view hierarchy should receive a particular sequence ofsub-events. In some embodiments, active event recognizer determinationmodule 173 determines that only the hit view should receive a particularsequence of sub-events. In other embodiments, active event recognizerdetermination module 173 determines that all views that include thephysical location of a sub-event are actively involved views, andtherefore determines that all actively involved views should receive aparticular sequence of sub-events. In other embodiments, even if touchsub-events were entirely confined to the area associated with oneparticular view, views higher in the hierarchy would still remain asactively involved views.

Event dispatcher module 174 dispatches the event information to an eventrecognizer (e.g., event recognizer 180). In embodiments including activeevent recognizer determination module 173, event dispatcher module 174delivers the event information to an event recognizer determined byactive event recognizer determination module 173. In some embodiments,event dispatcher module 174 stores in an event queue the eventinformation, which is retrieved by a respective event receiver module182.

In some embodiments, operating system 126 includes event sorter 170.Alternatively, application 136-1 includes event sorter 170. In yet otherembodiments, event sorter 170 is a stand-alone module, or a part ofanother module stored in memory 102, such as contact/motion module 130.

In some embodiments, application 136-1 includes a plurality of eventhandlers 190 and one or more application views 191, each of whichincludes instructions for handling touch events that occur within arespective view of the application's user interface. Each applicationview 191 of the application 136-1 includes one or more event recognizers180. Typically, a respective application view 191 includes a pluralityof event recognizers 180. In other embodiments, one or more of eventrecognizers 180 are part of a separate module, such as a user interfacekit (not shown) or a higher level object from which application 136-1inherits methods and other properties. In some embodiments, a respectiveevent handler 190 includes one or more of: data updater 176, objectupdater 177, GUI updater 178, and/or event data 179 received from eventsorter 170. Event handler 190 may utilize or call data updater 176,object updater 177 or GUI updater 178 to update the application internalstate 192. Alternatively, one or more of the application views 191includes one or more respective event handlers 190. Also, in someembodiments, one or more of data updater 176, object updater 177, andGUI updater 178 are included in a respective application view 191.

A respective event recognizer 180 receives event information (e.g.,event data 179) from event sorter 170, and identifies an event from theevent information. Event recognizer 180 includes event receiver 182 andevent comparator 184. In some embodiments, event recognizer 180 alsoincludes at least a subset of: metadata 183, and event deliveryinstructions 188 (which may include sub-event delivery instructions).

Event receiver 182 receives event information from event sorter 170. Theevent information includes information about a sub-event, for example, atouch or a touch movement. Depending on the sub-event, the eventinformation also includes additional information, such as location ofthe sub-event. When the sub-event concerns motion of a touch the eventinformation may also include speed and direction of the sub-event. Insome embodiments, events include rotation of the device from oneorientation to another (e.g., from a portrait orientation to a landscapeorientation, or vice versa), and the event information includescorresponding information about the current orientation (also calleddevice attitude) of the device.

Event comparator 184 compares the event information to predefined eventor sub-event definitions and, based on the comparison, determines anevent or sub-event, or determines or updates the state of an event orsub-event. In some embodiments, event comparator 184 includes eventdefinitions 186. Event definitions 186 contain definitions of events(e.g., predefined sequences of sub-events), for example, event 1(187-1), event 2 (187-2), and others. In some embodiments, sub-events inan event 187 include, for example, touch begin, touch end, touchmovement, touch cancellation, and multiple touching. In one example, thedefinition for event 1 (187-1) is a double tap on a displayed object.The double tap, for example, comprises a first touch (touch begin) onthe displayed object for a predetermined phase, a first lift-off (touchend) for a predetermined phase, a second touch (touch begin) on thedisplayed object for a predetermined phase, and a second lift-off (touchend) for a predetermined phase. In another example, the definition forevent 2 (187-2) is a dragging on a displayed object. The dragging, forexample, comprises a touch (or contact) on the displayed object for apredetermined phase, a movement of the touch across touch-sensitivedisplay 112, and lift-off of the touch (touch end). In some embodiments,the event also includes information for one or more associated eventhandlers 190.

In some embodiments, event definition 187 includes a definition of anevent for a respective user-interface object. In some embodiments, eventcomparator 184 performs a hit test to determine which user-interfaceobject is associated with a sub-event. For example, in an applicationview in which three user-interface objects are displayed ontouch-sensitive display 112, when a touch is detected on touch-sensitivedisplay 112, event comparator 184 performs a hit test to determine whichof the three user-interface objects is associated with the touch(sub-event). If each displayed object is associated with a respectiveevent handler 190, the event comparator uses the result of the hit testto determine which event handler 190 should be activated. For example,event comparator 184 selects an event handler associated with thesub-event and the object triggering the hit test.

In some embodiments, the definition for a respective event 187 alsoincludes delayed actions that delay delivery of the event informationuntil after it has been determined whether the sequence of sub-eventsdoes or does not correspond to the event recognizer's event type.

When a respective event recognizer 180 determines that the series ofsub-events do not match any of the events in event definitions 186, therespective event recognizer 180 enters an event impossible, eventfailed, or event ended state, after which it disregards subsequentsub-events of the touch-based gesture. In this situation, other eventrecognizers, if any, that remain active for the hit view continue totrack and process sub-events of an ongoing touch-based gesture.

In some embodiments, a respective event recognizer 180 includes metadata183 with configurable properties, flags, and/or lists that indicate howthe event delivery system should perform sub-event delivery to activelyinvolved event recognizers. In some embodiments, metadata 183 includesconfigurable properties, flags, and/or lists that indicate how eventrecognizers may interact with one another. In some embodiments, metadata183 includes configurable properties, flags, and/or lists that indicatewhether sub-events are delivered to varying levels in the view orprogrammatic hierarchy.

In some embodiments, a respective event recognizer 180 activates eventhandler 190 associated with an event when one or more particularsub-events of an event are recognized. In some embodiments, a respectiveevent recognizer 180 delivers event information associated with theevent to event handler 190. Activating an event handler 190 is distinctfrom sending (and deferred sending) sub-events to a respective hit view.In some embodiments, event recognizer 180 throws a flag associated withthe recognized event, and event handler 190 associated with the flagcatches the flag and performs a predefined process.

In some embodiments, event delivery instructions 188 include sub-eventdelivery instructions that deliver event information about a sub-eventwithout activating an event handler. Instead, the sub-event deliveryinstructions deliver event information to event handlers associated withthe series of sub-events or to actively involved views. Event handlersassociated with the series of sub-events or with actively involved viewsreceive the event information and perform a predetermined process.

In some embodiments, data updater 176 creates and updates data used inapplication 136-1. For example, data updater 176 updates the telephonenumber used in contacts module 137, or stores a video file used in videoplayer module 145. In some embodiments, object updater 177 creates andupdates objects used in application 136-1. For example, object updater176 creates a new user-interface object or updates the position of auser-interface object. GUI updater 178 updates the GUI. For example, GUIupdater 178 prepares display information and sends it to graphics module132 for display on a touch-sensitive display.

In some embodiments, event handler(s) 190 includes or has access to dataupdater 176, object updater 177, and GUI updater 178. In someembodiments, data updater 176, object updater 177, and GUI updater 178are included in a single module of a respective application 136-1 orapplication view 191. In other embodiments, they are included in two ormore software modules.

It shall be understood that the foregoing discussion regarding eventhandling of user touches on touch-sensitive displays also applies toother forms of user inputs to operate multifunction devices 100 withinput-devices, not all of which are initiated on touch screens, e.g.,coordinating mouse movement and mouse button presses with or withoutsingle or multiple keyboard presses or holds, user movements taps,drags, scrolls, etc., on touch-pads, pen stylus inputs, movement of thedevice, oral instructions, detected eye movements, biometric inputs,and/or any combination thereof, which may be utilized as inputscorresponding to sub-events which define an event to be recognized.

FIG. 2 illustrates a portable multifunction device 100 having a touchscreen 112 in accordance with some embodiments. The touch screen maydisplay one or more graphics within user interface (UI) 200. In thisembodiment, as well as others described below, a user may select one ormore of the graphics by making contact or touching the graphics, forexample, with one or more fingers 202 (not drawn to scale in the figure)or one or more styluses 203 (not drawn to scale in the figure). In someembodiments, selection of one or more graphics occurs when the userbreaks contact with the one or more graphics. In some embodiments, thecontact may include a gesture, such as one or more taps, one or moreswipes (from left to right, right to left, upward and/or downward)and/or a rolling of a finger (from right to left, left to right, upwardand/or downward) that has made contact with device 100. In someembodiments, inadvertent contact with a graphic may not select thegraphic. For example, a swipe gesture that sweeps over an applicationicon may not select the corresponding application when the gesturecorresponding to selection is a tap.

Device 100 may also include one or more physical buttons, such as “home”or menu button 204. As described previously, menu button 204 may be usedto navigate to any application 136 in a set of applications that may beexecuted on device 100. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the menubutton is implemented as a soft key in a GUI displayed on touch screen112.

In one embodiment, device 100 includes touch screen 112, menu button204, push button 206 for powering the device on/off and locking thedevice, volume adjustment button(s) 208, Subscriber Identity Module(SIM) card slot 210, head set jack 212, and docking/charging externalport 124. Push button 206 may be used to turn the power on/off on thedevice by depressing the button and holding the button in the depressedstate for a predefined time interval; to lock the device by depressingthe button and releasing the button before the predefined time intervalhas elapsed; and/or to unlock the device or initiate an unlock process.In an alternative embodiment, device 100 also may accept verbal inputfor activation or deactivation of some functions through microphone 113.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary multifunction device with adisplay and a touch-sensitive surface in accordance with someembodiments. Device 300 need not be portable. In some embodiments,device 300 is a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet computer,a multimedia player device, a navigation device, an educational device(such as a child's learning toy), a gaming system, a set-top box, or acontrol device (e.g., a home or industrial controller). Device 300typically includes one or more processing units (CPU's) 310, one or morenetwork or other communications interfaces 360, memory 370, and one ormore communication buses 320 for interconnecting these components.Communication buses 320 may include circuitry (sometimes called achipset) that interconnects and controls communications between systemcomponents. Device 300 includes input/output (I/O) interface 330comprising display 340, which is typically a touch screen display. I/Ointerface 330 also may include a keyboard and/or mouse (or otherpointing device) 350 and touchpad 355. Memory 370 includes high-speedrandom access memory, such as DRAM, SRAM, DDR RAM or other random accesssolid state memory devices; and may include non-volatile memory, such asone or more magnetic disk storage devices, optical disk storage devices,flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid state storage devices.Memory 370 may optionally include one or more storage devices remotelylocated from CPU(s) 310. In some embodiments, memory 370 storesprograms, modules, and data structures analogous to the programs,modules, and data structures stored in memory 102 of portablemultifunction device 100 (FIGS. 1A-1B), or a subset thereof.Furthermore, memory 370 may store additional programs, modules, and datastructures not present in memory 102 of portable multifunction device100. For example, memory 370 of device 300 may store drawing module 380,presentation module 382, word processing module 384, website creationmodule 386, disk authoring module 388, and/or spreadsheet module 390,while memory 102 of portable multifunction device 100 (FIGS. 1A-1B) maynot store these modules.

Each of the above identified elements in FIG. 3 may be stored in one ormore of the previously mentioned memory devices. Each of the aboveidentified modules corresponds to a set of instructions for performing afunction described above. The above identified modules or programs(i.e., sets of instructions) need not be implemented as separatesoftware programs, procedures or modules, and thus various subsets ofthese modules may be combined or otherwise re-arranged in variousembodiments. In some embodiments, memory 370 may store a subset of themodules and data structures identified above. Furthermore, memory 370may store additional modules and data structures not described above.

Attention is now directed towards embodiments of user interfaces (“UI”)that may be implemented on portable multifunction device 100.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate exemplary user interfaces for a menu ofapplications on portable multifunction device 100 in accordance withsome embodiments. Similar user interfaces may be implemented on device300. In some embodiments, user interface 400A includes the followingelements, or a subset or superset thereof:

-   -   Signal strength indicator(s) 402 for wireless communication(s),        such as cellular and Wi-Fi signals;    -   Time 404;    -   Bluetooth indicator 405;    -   Battery status indicator 406;    -   Tray 408 with icons for frequently used applications, such as:        -   Phone 138, which may include an indicator 414 of the number            of missed calls or voicemail messages;        -   E-mail client 140, which may include an indicator 410 of the            number of unread e-mails;        -   Browser 147; and        -   Music player 146; and    -   Icons for other applications, such as:        -   IM 141;        -   Image management 144;        -   Camera 143;        -   Video player 145;        -   Weather 149-1;        -   Stocks 149-2;        -   Workout support 142;        -   Calendar 148;        -   Calculator 149-3;        -   Alarm clock 149-4;        -   Dictionary 149-5; and        -   User-created widget 149-6.

In some embodiments, user interface 400B includes the followingelements, or a subset or superset thereof:

-   -   402, 404, 405, 406, 141, 148, 144, 143, 149-3, 149-2, 149-1,        149-4, 410, 414, 138, 140, and 147, as described above;    -   Map 154;    -   Notes 153;    -   Settings 412, which provides access to settings for device 100        and its various applications 136, as described further below;    -   Video and music player module 152, also referred to as iPod        (trademark of Apple Inc.) module 152; and    -   Online video module 155, also referred to as YouTube (trademark        of Google Inc.) module 155.

FIG. 4C illustrates an exemplary user interface on a device (e.g.,portable multifunction device 100 in FIGS. 1A-1B or device 300, FIG. 3)with a touch screen display (e.g., touch screen display 112) thatincorporates both a display and a touch-sensitive surface. Although manyof the examples which follow will be given with reference to inputs on atouch-sensitive surface that is separate from a computing device (wherethe computing device is in communication with a display), it should beunderstood that, in some embodiments, the device detects inputs on atouch-sensitive surface that is combined with the display, as shown inFIG. 4C. Thus, in these embodiments, inputs on the touch-sensitivesurface (e.g., touch screen 112) are received by the computing device,interpreted and used to generate instructions for the display (e.g.,touch screen 112). For example, in FIG. 4C in response to a swipegesture including contact 440 and subsequent movement 442 of the contact440 across the touch screen 112, the computing device the objectselection indicator 444 is moved across the touch screen 112. It shouldbe understood that similar methods may be used for other user interfacesdescribed herein.

FIG. 4D illustrates an exemplary user interface on a display (e.g., 450in FIG. 4D) that is separate from the touch-sensitive surface (e.g., 452in FIG. 4D). In some of these embodiments, the touch-sensitive surface452 has a primary axis (e.g., 456 in FIG. 4D) that corresponds to aprimary axis (e.g., 458 in FIG. 4D) on the display 450. In accordancewith these embodiments, a device that is in communication with thedisplay 450 and the touch-sensitive surface 452 receives an input thatcorresponds to detection of contacts (e.g., 460 and 462 in FIG. 4D) withthe touch-sensitive surface 452 at locations that correspond torespective locations on the display 450 (e.g., a contact 460 on thetouch-sensitive surface 452 corresponds to a location 468 on the display450 and a contact 462 on the touch-sensitive surface 452 corresponds toa location 470 on the display 450 in FIG. 4D) and the device sendsinstructions to the display 450 to perform operations on the display 450in response to corresponding movements of the contacts on thetouch-sensitive surface 452.

Additionally, while the following examples are given primarily withreference to finger inputs (e.g., finger contacts, finger tap gestures,finger swipe gestures), it should be understood that, in someembodiments, one or more of the finger inputs are replaced with inputfrom another input device (e.g., a mouse based input or stylus input).For example, a swipe gesture may be replaced with a mouse click (e.g.,instead of a contact) followed by movement of the cursor along the pathof the swipe (e.g., instead of movement of the contact). Alternatively,a swipe gesture may be replaced by movement of a mouse where an objectselection indicator moves in accordance with the movement of the mouse(e.g., the object selection indicator replaces a conventional cursor).As another example, a tap gesture may be replaced with a mouse clickwhile the cursor is located over the location of the tap gesture (e.g.,instead of detection of the contact followed by ceasing to detect thecontact). Similarly, when multiple user inputs are simultaneouslydetected, it should be understood that multiple computer mice may beused simultaneously, or a mouse and finger contacts may be usedsimultaneously.

While the examples described in greater detail below are described withreference to a touch-sensitive surface 452 and a display 450 that are incommunication with a computing device (e.g., portable multifunctiondevice 100 in FIGS. 1A-1B or device 300 in FIG. 3), it should beunderstood that in accordance with some embodiments, the touch-sensitivesurface and/or the display are integrated with the computing device,while in other embodiments one or more of the touch-sensitive surfaceand the display are separate from the computing device. Additionally, insome embodiments the computing device has an integrated display and/oran integrated touch-sensitive surface and is in communication with oneor more additional displays and/or touch-sensitive surfaces that areseparate from the computing device.

In some embodiments, all of the operations described below withreference to FIGS. 5A-5SS, 6A-6C, 7A-7C, 8A-8E and 9A-9D are performedon a single computing device with user interface navigation logic 480(e.g., Computing Device A described below with reference to FIG. 4E).However, it should be understood that frequently multiple differentcomputing devices are linked together to perform the operationsdescribed below with reference to FIGS. 5A-5SS, 6A-6C, 7A-7C, 8A-8E and9A-9D (e.g., a computing device with user interface navigation logic 480communicates with a separate computing device with a display 450 and/ora separate computing device with a touch-sensitive surface 452). In anyof these embodiments, the computing device that is described below withreference to FIGS. 5A-5SS, 6A-6C, 7A-7C, 8A-8E and 9A-9D is thecomputing device (or devices) that contain(s) the user interfacenavigation logic 480. Additionally, it should be understood that theuser interface navigation logic 480 could be divided between a pluralityof distinct modules or computing devices in various embodiments;however, for the purposes of the description herein, the user interfacenavigation logic 480 will be primarily referred to as residing in asingle computing device so as not to unnecessarily obscure other aspectsof the embodiments.

In some embodiments, the user interface navigation logic 480 includesone or more modules (e.g., one or more event handlers 190, including oneor more object updaters 177 and one or more GUI updaters 178 asdescribed in greater detail above with reference to FIG. 1C) thatreceive interpreted inputs and, in response to these interpreted inputs,generate instructions for updating a graphical user interface inaccordance with the interpreted inputs which are subsequently used toupdate the graphical user interface on a display. In some embodiments,an interpreted input in an input that has been detected (e.g., by acontact motion 130 in FIGS. 1A-1B and 3), recognized (e.g., by an eventrecognizer 180 in FIG. 1C) and/or prioritized (e.g., by event sorter 170in FIG. 1C). In some embodiments, the interpreted inputs are generatedby modules at the computing device (e.g., the computing device receivesraw contact input data so as to identify gestures from the raw contactinput data). In some embodiments, some or all of the interpreted inputsare received by the computing device as interpreted inputs (e.g., acomputing device that includes the touch-sensitive surface 452 processesraw contact input data so as to identify gestures from the raw contactinput data and sends information indicative of the gestures to thecomputing device that includes the user interface navigation logic 480).

In some embodiments, both the display 450 and the touch-sensitivesurface 452 are integrated with the computing device (e.g., ComputingDevice A in FIG. 4E) that contains the user interface navigation logic480. For example, the computing device may be a desktop computer orlaptop computer with an integrated display (e.g., 340 in FIG. 3) andtouchpad (e.g., 335 in FIG. 3). As another example, the computing devicemay be a portable multifunction device 100 (e.g., a smartphone, PDA,tablet computer, etc.) with a touch screen (e.g., 112 in FIG. 2).

In some embodiments, the touch-sensitive surface 452 is integrated withthe computing device while the display 450 is not integrated with thecomputing device (e.g., Computing Device B in FIG. 4E) that contains theuser interface navigation logic 480. For example, the computing devicemay be a device 300 (e.g., a desktop computer or laptop computer) withan integrated touchpad (e.g., 335 in FIG. 3) connected (via wired orwireless connection) to a separate display (e.g., a computer monitor,television, etc.). As another example, the computing device may be aportable multifunction device 100 (e.g., a smartphone, PDA, tabletcomputer, etc.) with a touch screen (e.g., 112 in FIG. 2) connected (viawired or wireless connection) to a separate display (e.g., a computermonitor, television, etc.).

In some embodiments, the display 450 is integrated with the computingdevice while the touch-sensitive surface 452 is not integrated with thecomputing device (e.g., Computing Device C in FIG. 4E) that contains theuser interface navigation logic 480. For example, the computing devicemay be a device 300 (e.g., a desktop computer, laptop computer,television with integrated set-top box) with an integrated display(e.g., 340 in FIG. 3) connected (via wired or wireless connection) to aseparate touch-sensitive surface (e.g., a remote touchpad, a portablemultifunction device, etc.). As another example, the computing devicemay be a portable multifunction device 100 (e.g., a smartphone, PDA,tablet computer, etc.) with a touch screen (e.g., 112 in FIG. 2)connected (via wired or wireless connection) to a separatetouch-sensitive surface (e.g., a remote touchpad, another portablemultifunction device with a touch screen serving as a remote touchpad,etc.).

In some embodiments, neither the display 450 nor the touch-sensitivesurface 452 is integrated with the computing device (e.g., ComputingDevice D in FIG. 4E) that contains the user interface navigation logic480. For example, the computing device may be a stand-alone computingdevice 300 (e.g., a desktop computer, laptop computer, console, set-topbox, etc.) connected (via wired or wireless connection) to a separatetouch-sensitive surface (e.g., a remote touchpad, a portablemultifunction device, etc.) and a separate display (e.g., a computermonitor, television, etc.). As another example, the computing device maybe a portable multifunction device 100 (e.g., a smartphone, PDA, tabletcomputer, etc.) with a touch screen (e.g., 112 in FIG. 2) connected (viawired or wireless connection) to a separate touch-sensitive surface(e.g., a remote touchpad, another portable multifunction device with atouch screen serving as a remote touchpad, etc.).

Attention is now directed towards embodiments of user interfaces (“UI”)and associated processes that may be implemented with a computing devicethat communicates with and/or includes a display and a touch-sensitivesurface, such as one of Computing Devices A-D in FIG. 4E.

FIGS. 5A-5SS illustrate exemplary user interfaces for using a dynamicobject selection indicator to navigate through a user interface inaccordance with some embodiments. The user interfaces in these figuresare used to illustrate the processes described below, including theprocesses in FIGS. 6A-6C, 7A-7C, 8A-8E and 9A-9D.

FIG. 5A illustrates a user interface (e.g., a webpage) having aplurality of selectable objects (e.g., 5006-1, 5006-2, 5006-3, 5006-4,5006-5, 5006-6, 5006-7, 5006-8 and 5006-9) that is displayed on adisplay 450. FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate the movement of an object selectionindicator 5010 across the display 450 from a first selectable object toa target selectable object. In response to a swipe gesture (e.g.,contact 5008 and subsequent movement of the contact in FIG. 5A) that isdetected on a touch-sensitive surface 452 a computing device instructsthe display 450 to move an object selection indicator 5010 across thedisplay 450. In FIG. 5A the object selection indicator 5010 is displayedat a first selectable object 5006-3. In FIG. 5B, after detecting theswipe gesture that includes contact 5008, the computing devicedetermines a trajectory 5012 of the object selection indicator 5010,determines a radius 5014 around a termination point of the trajectory5012 and identifies a target selectable object 5006-4 that is within theradius 5014. In FIGS. 5C-5D, the display shows an animation of theobject selection indicator 5010 moving from the first selectable object5006-3 to the target selectable object 5006-4 (e.g., from a firstlocation of the object selection indicator 5010-a to a second locationof the object selection indicator 5010-b to a third location of theobject selection indicator 5010-c in FIG. 5C and finally to a fourthlocation of the object selection indicator 5010 in FIG. 5D).

FIGS. 5D-5G illustrate the movement of an object selection indicatorfrom a location proximate to a selectable object to a location on thedisplay 450 that is not associated with any selectable object. Inresponse to a swipe gesture (e.g., contact 5016 and subsequent movementof the contact in FIG. 5D) that is detected on a touch-sensitive surface452 a computing device instructs the display 450 to move an objectselection indicator 5010 across the display 450. In FIG. 5D the objectselection indicator 5010 is displayed at a location proximate to aselectable object 5006-4. In FIG. 5E, after detecting the swipe gesturethat includes contact 5008, the computing device determines a trajectory5018 of the object selection indicator 5010, determines a radius 5020around a termination point of the trajectory 5018 and fails to identifyany target selectable object that is within the radius 5020. In FIGS.5F-5G, the display shows an animation of the object selection indicator5010 moving from the selectable object 5006-3 towards a terminationpoint of the trajectory 5018 (e.g., from a first location of the objectselection indicator 5010-a to a second location of the object selectionindicator 5010-b to a third location of the object selection indicator5010-c in FIG. 5F and finally to a fourth location of the objectselection indicator 5010 in FIG. 5G).

FIGS. 5G-5I illustrate the movement of an object selection indicatorfrom a location on the display 450 that is not associated with anyselectable object to a target selectable object. In response to a swipegesture (e.g., contact 5022 and subsequent movement of the contact inFIG. 5G) that is detected on a touch-sensitive surface 452 a computingdevice instructs the display 450 to move an object selection indicator5010 across the display 450. In FIG. 5G, the object selection indicator5010 is displayed at a location on the display. In FIG. 5H, afterdetecting the swipe gesture that includes contact 5022, the computingdevice identifies a target selectable object (e.g., 5006-5 in FIG. 5H).In FIGS. 5H-5I, the display shows an animation of the object selectionindicator 5010 moving from the location that does not correspond to anyselectable object indicator (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5H) to a location thatcorresponds to the target selectable object (e.g., the object selectionindicator 5010 is displayed at a location proximate to the targetselectable object 5006-5 in FIG. 5I).

FIGS. 5I-5M illustrate the movement of an object selection indicator5010 across the display 450 from a first selectable object to a targetselectable object. In response to a tap and drag gesture (e.g., contact5024 and subsequent movement of the contact in FIGS. 5I-5L) that isdetected on a touch-sensitive surface 452 a computing device instructsthe display 450 to move an object selection indicator 5010 across thedisplay 450. In FIG. 5I, the object selection indicator 5010 isdisplayed at a first selectable object 5006-5. In FIG. 5J, after thecontact 5024 has been detected for more than a predetermined period oftime, the object selection indicator 5010 is displayed at a predefinedsize. While the contact is moved around the touch-sensitive surface 452(e.g., from a first location of the contact 5024-a in FIGS. 5I-5J to asecond location of the contact 5024-b in FIG. 5K to a third location ofthe contact 5024-c in FIG. 5L), the object selection indicator continuesto be displayed at the predefined size as it moves around the userinterface on the display 450 in accordance with the movement of thecontact (e.g., from a first location 5010 in FIG. 5J to a secondlocation of the object selection indicator 5010 in FIG. 5K to a thirdlocation of the object selection indicator 5010 in FIG. 5L). As theobject selection indicator 5010 is being moved around the userinterface, the computing device identifies target selectable objectsthat are within a predefined radius from the object selection indicator(e.g., target selectable object 5006-4 that is within a predefinedradius 5026 of the target selectable object 5010 in FIG. 5K and targetselectable object 5006-7 that is within a predefined radius 5028 of thetarget selectable object 5010 in FIG. 5L). After detecting an end of thetap and drag gesture (e.g., detecting liftoff of the contact 5024-c inFIG. 5M, the display shows an animation of the object selectionindicator moving and changing size so as to encompass the current targetselectable object (e.g., the object selection indicator moves from acurrent location and size as illustrated by the object selectionindicator 5010 in FIG. 5L to an updated location and size as illustratedby the object selection indicator 5010 in FIG. 5M).

In FIG. 5M, while the current target selectable object (e.g., 5006-7 inFIG. 5M) is selected, an activation input (e.g., tap gesture 5030 on thetouch-sensitive surface 452) is detected and the computing deviceperforms an action associated with the current target selectable object(e.g., display a webpage associated with the “advertisement 2”selectable object, not shown).

FIGS. 5M-5O illustrate the movement of an object selection indicator5010 across the display 450 from a first selectable object to a targetselectable object. In response to a swipe gesture (e.g., contact 5032and subsequent movement of the contact in FIG. 5M) that is detected on atouch-sensitive surface 452 a computing device instructs the display tomove an object selection indicator 5010 across the display 450. In FIG.5M, the object selection indicator 5010 is displayed at a firstselectable object 5006-7. In FIG. 5N, after detecting the swipe gesturethat includes contact 5032, the computing device determines a trajectory5034 of the object selection indicator 5010 and identifies a targetselectable object 5006-2. In FIGS. 5N-5O, the display shows an animationof the object selection indicator 5010 moving from the first selectableobject 5006-7 to the target selectable object 5006-2 (e.g., from a firstlocation of the object selection indicator 5010-a to a second locationof the object selection indicator 5010-b to a third location of theobject selection indicator 5010-c to a fourth location of the objectselection indicator 5010-d in FIG. 5N and finally to a fifth location ofthe object selection indicator 5010 in FIG. 5O).

FIGS. 5O-5Q illustrate the movement of an object selection indicator5010 across the display 450 from a first selectable object to a targetselectable object where the target selectable object is within apredefined region (e.g., region 5038 in FIGS. 5O-5Q) of the display 450.In response to a swipe gesture (e.g., contact 5036 and subsequentmovement of the contact in FIG. 5O) that is detected on atouch-sensitive surface 452, a computing device instructs the display450 to move an object selection indicator 5010 across the display 450.In FIG. 5O, the object selection indicator 5010 is displayed at a firstselectable object 5006-2. In FIG. 5P, after detecting the swipe gesturethat includes contact 5036, the computing device determines a trajectory5040 of the object selection indicator 5010, determines a radius 5042around a termination point of the trajectory 5040 and identifies atarget selectable object 5006-4 that is within the radius 5042. In FIGS.5P-5Q, the display shows an animation of the object selection indicator5010 moving from the first selectable object 5006-2 to the targetselectable object 5006-4 (e.g., from a first location of the objectselection indicator 5010 in FIG. 5P a second location of the objectselection indicator 5010 in FIG. 5Q), without scrolling the userinterface on the display 450.

FIGS. 5Q-5T illustrate the movement of an object selection indicator5010 across the display 450 from a first selectable object to a targetselectable object where the target selectable object is outside of apredefined region (e.g., 5038 in FIGS. 5Q-5T) of the display 450. Inresponse to a swipe gesture (e.g., contact 5044 and subsequent movementof the contact in FIG. 5Q) that is detected on a touch-sensitive surface452, a computing device instructs the display 450 to move an objectselection indicator 5010 across the display 450. In FIGS. 5Q-5R theobject selection indicator 5010 is displayed at a first selectableobject 5006-4. In FIG. 5R, after detecting the swipe gesture thatincludes contact 5044, the computing device determines a trajectory 5046of the object selection indicator 5010, determines a radius 5048 arounda termination point of the trajectory 5046 and identifies a targetselectable object 5006-5 that is within the radius 5048. In FIGS. 5R-5S,the display 450 shows an animation of the object selection indicator5010 moving from the first selectable object 5006-4 to the targetselectable object 5006-5 (e.g., from a first location of the objectselection indicator 5010 in FIG. 5R to an updated location of the objectselection indicator 5010 in FIG. 5S), and scrolling the user interfaceon the display 450 so that the updated location of the object selectionindicator (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5S) is within the predefined region 5038of the display 450. FIGS. 5S-5T illustrate displaying an animation ofscrolling the user interface on the display 450 so that the updatedlocation of the object selection indicator (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5S) isdisplayed near a center of the predefined region 5038 of the display 450(e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5T).

FIGS. 5T-5W illustrate the movement of an object selection indicator5010 across the display 450 from a first selectable object to a targetselectable object where the target selectable object is outside of apredefined region (e.g., 5038 in FIGS. 5T-5W) of the display 450. Inresponse to a swipe gesture (e.g., contact 5050 and subsequent movementof the contact in FIG. 5T) that is detected on a touch-sensitive surface452, a computing device instructs the display 450 to move an objectselection indicator 5010 across the display 450. In FIGS. 5T-5U, theobject selection indicator 5010 is displayed at a first selectableobject 5006-5. In FIG. 5U, after detecting the swipe gesture thatincludes contact 5050, the computing device determines a trajectory 5052of the object selection indicator 5010 and identifies a targetselectable object 5006-10 that is proximate to a termination point ofthe trajectory 5052. In FIGS. 5U-5W, the display 450 shows an animationof the object selection indicator 5010 moving from the first selectableobject 5006-5 to the target selectable object 5006-10 (e.g., from afirst location of the object selection indicator 5010 in FIG. 5U to asecond location of the object selection indicator 5010 in FIG. 5V and toan updated location of the object selection indicator 5010 in FIG. 5W),and scrolling the user interface on the display 450 so that the updatedlocation of the object selection indicator (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5W) iswithin the predefined region 5038 of the display 450.

In FIG. 5W, while the current target selectable object (e.g., 5006-10 inFIG. 5W) is selected, an activation input (e.g., tap gesture 5053 on thetouch-sensitive surface 452) is detected and the computing deviceperforms an action associated with the current target selectable object(e.g., loading a webpage associated with the “long remember” hyperlink,not shown).

FIGS. 5W-5AA illustrate the movement of an object selection indicator5010 across the display 450 from a first selectable object to a targetselectable object where the computing device receives an input thatcorresponds to a stop input while the object selection indicator isbeing moved within the user interface. In response to a swipe gesture(e.g., contact 5054 and subsequent movement of the contact in FIG. 5W)that is detected on a touch-sensitive surface 452, a computing deviceinstructs the display 450 to move an object selection indicator 5010across the display 450. In FIGS. 5W-5X the object selection indicator5010 is displayed at a first selectable object 5006-10. In FIG. 5X,after detecting the swipe gesture that includes contact 5054, thecomputing device determines a trajectory 5056 of the object selectionindicator 5010 and identifies a target selectable object that isproximate to a termination point of the trajectory 5056. In FIGS. 5X-5Y,the display 450 shows an animation of the object selection indicator5010 moving from the first selectable object 5006-10 towards the targetselectable object (e.g., from a first location of the object selectionindicator 5010 in FIG. 5X to a second location of the object selectionindicator 5010 in FIG. 5Y). In one embodiment, in FIG. 5Y a stop input(e.g., tap gesture 5058 in FIG. 5Y) is detected while the objectselection indicator (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5Y) is within a predefinedregion 5038 of the display and the display ceases to move the objectselection indicator within the user interface and does not scroll theuser interface within the display. In another embodiment, the stop input(e.g., tap gesture 5058 in FIG. 5Y) is not detected while the objectselection indicator (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5Y) is within a predefinedregion 5038 of the display 450, and instead a stop input (e.g., tapgesture 5060 in FIG. 5Z) is detected while the object selectionindicator (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5Z) is outside of the predefined region5038 of the display 450 and the display 450 ceases to move the objectselection indicator within the user interface and scrolls the userinterface within the display 450 so as to move the object selectionindicator (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5AA) into the predefined region 5038 ofthe display 450.

FIGS. 5AA-5CC illustrate exemplary user interfaces for scrubbing throughthe user interface (i.e., scrolling through content by moving a cursor,object selection indicator within a predefined region on the display 450or moving a contact within a predefined region on thetouch-sensitive-surface 452, where positions in the predefined regionmap to corresponding positions in the content). In FIGS. 5BB-5CC, acontact 5063 is detected within a scrubbing region 5061 on thetouch-sensitive surface 452 as illustrated in FIG. 5BB, and the contactis subsequently moved within the scrubbing region 5061 from a firstlocation 5063-a in FIG. 5BB to a second location 5063-b in FIG. 5CC. Inresponse to receiving inputs that correspond to these movements of thecontact on the touch-sensitive surface 452, the user interface isscrolled through in accordance with the position of the contact 5063within the scrubbing region 5061, as illustrated in FIGS. 5BB-5CC.Alternatively, in FIGS. 5AA-5CC, a tap and drag gesture (e.g., includingcontact 5064 and movement from a first location of the contact 5064-a inFIG. 5AA to a second location of the contact 5064-b in FIG. 5BB to athird location of the contact 5064-c in FIG. 5CC) is detected thatincludes a request to move the object selection indicator into ascrubbing region (e.g., 5062 in FIGS. 5AA-5CC) of the display 450. Inresponse to movements that correspond to movement of the objectselection indicator within the scrubbing region (e.g., from a firstlocation of the object selection indicator 5010 in FIG. 5BB to a secondlocation of the object selection indicator 5010 in FIG. 5CC), the userinterface is scrubbed through in accordance with the movements of theobject selection indicator.

FIGS. 5DD-5HH illustrate exemplary user interfaces for scrolling throughthe user interface at a predefined speed. In FIGS. 5DD-5HH a tap anddrag gesture (e.g., including contact 5065) is detected that includes arequest to move the object selection indicator into a scroll speedcontrol region (e.g., region 5066-1 in FIG. 5DD or region 5066-2 inFIGS. 5DD-5HH) of the display 450. In response to detecting the presenceof the object selection indicator (e.g., 5010 in FIGS. 5EE-5GG) withinthe scroll speed control region (e.g., 5066-2 in FIGS. 5DD-5HH) the userinterface is scrolled on the display 450 (e.g., as illustrated in FIGS.5EE-5GG). In FIG. 5GG, in response to detecting an end of the input(e.g., liftoff of the contact 5065-b in FIGS. 5FF-5GG), the objectselection indicator ceases to be moved within the user interface, andthe user interface is scrolled so as to display the object selectionindicator (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5HH) within the predefined region 5038 ofthe display 450, as illustrated in FIG. 5HH.

FIGS. 5HH-5JJ illustrate exemplary embodiments for selecting aselectable object after an end of a gesture (e.g., the tap and draggesture including contact 5065 FIGS. 5DD-5FF) has been detected. Afterdetecting an end of the tap and drag gesture (e.g., detecting liftoff ofthe contact 5065-b in FIGS. 5FF-5GG), the display shows an animation ofthe object selection indicator moving and changing size so as toencompass the a target selectable object (e.g., the object selectionindicator moves from a current location and size as illustrated by theobject selection indicator 5010 in FIG. 5HH to an updated location andsize as illustrated by the object selection indicator 5010 in FIGS.5II-5JJ that encompasses the target selectable object 5006-11). In FIGS.5HH-5II the user interface is scrolled on the display 450 so as todisplay the object selection indicator (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5JJ) withinthe predefined region 5038 of the display 450, as illustrated in FIG.5JJ.

FIGS. 5JJ-5LL illustrate movement of an object selection indicator froma location proximate to a selectable object to a location on the display450 that is not associated with any selectable object and ceasing todisplay the object selection indicator after a predetermined period oftime. In response to a swipe gesture (e.g., contact 5072 and subsequentmovement of the contact in FIG. 5JJ) that is detected on atouch-sensitive surface 452, a computing device instructs the display450 to move an object selection indicator 5010 across the display 450.In FIG. 5JJ, the object selection indicator 5010 is displayed at alocation proximate to a selectable object 5006-11. In FIG. 5JJ, afterdetecting the swipe gesture that includes contact 5072, the computingdevice determines a trajectory 5074 of the object selection indicator5010 and fails to identify any target selectable object that isproximate to an endpoint of the trajectory 5074. In FIGS. 5JJ-5KK, thedisplay 450 shows an animation of the object selection indicator 5010moving from the selectable object 5006-11 towards a termination point ofthe trajectory 5074 (e.g., from a first location of the object selectionindicator 5010 in FIG. 5JJ to a second location of the object selectionindicator 5010 in FIG. 5KK). After a predetermined period of timewithout further contacts being detected on the touch-sensitive surface452, the object selection indicator ceases to be displayed on thedisplay 450, as illustrated in FIG. 5LL.

FIG. 5LL illustrates detecting a swipe gesture (e.g., contact 5074 andsubsequent movement of the contact in FIG. 5LL) that meets predefinednavigation criteria (e.g., it has a duration less than a predeterminedamount of time). In FIG. 5MM, in response to the detection of the swipegesture the user interface is scrolled downwards on the display (e.g.,so as to display a top portion of the user interface on the display 450)without redisplaying the object selection indicator. In FIG. 5NN, inresponse to the detection of the swipe gesture, the user interface isscrolled upwards on the display (e.g., so as to display a bottom portionof the user interface on the display 450) without redisplaying theobject selection indicator.

FIG. 5LL also illustrates detecting a swipe gesture (e.g., contact 5076and subsequent movement of the contact in FIG. 5LL) that meets objectselection indicator movement criteria (e.g., it has a duration greaterthan the predetermined amount of time). In FIGS. 5OO-5PP, in response tothe detection of the swipe gesture the object selection indicator (e.g.,5010 in FIG. 5OO) is redisplayed near a center of the display 450 and issubsequently moved in accordance with a trajectory 5078 that isdetermined based on the swipe gesture (e.g., the gesture includingcontact 5076 in FIG. 5LL) to a location that corresponds to a selectableobject 5006-11, and the movement is performed without scrolling the userinterface on the display 450. In FIGS. 5QQ-5SS, in response to thedetection of the swipe gesture the object selection indicator (e.g.,5010 in FIG. 5QQ) is redisplayed at a last known location and issubsequently moved in accordance with a trajectory 5080 that is wasdetermined based on the swipe gesture (e.g., the gesture includingcontact 5076 in FIG. 5LL) to a location and that corresponds to aselectable object (e.g., 5006-18 in FIGS. 5RR-5SS) and resized to a sizethat corresponds to a size of the selectable object, where the locationthat corresponds to the selectable object (e.g., the updated location ofthe object selection indicator) is outside of a predefined region 5038of the display 450. Additionally, in FIGS. 5RR-5SS the user interface isscrolled on the display 450 so as to display the object selectionindicator (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5SS) within the predefined region 5038 ofthe display 450, as illustrated in FIG. 5SS.

FIGS. 6A-6C are flow diagrams illustrating a method 600 of identifying atarget selectable object and moving an object selection indicator to thetarget selectable object in accordance with some embodiments. The method600 is performed at a computing device (e.g., device 300, FIG. 3, orportable multifunction device 100, FIGS. 1A-1B) that is in communicationwith a display (e.g., 450 in FIGS. 5A-5SS) and a touch-sensitive surface(e.g., 452 in FIGS. 5A-5SS). In some embodiments, the display and/or thetouch-sensitive surface are separate from the device (e.g., either aspart of separate computing devices or wirelessly connected to thecomputing device). In some embodiments, the display and/or thetouch-sensitive surface are integrated into the computing device. Insome embodiments, the display is a touch screen display and thetouch-sensitive surface is on the display. In some embodiments, thedisplay is separate from the touch-sensitive surface. Some operations inmethod 600 may be combined and/or the order of some operations may bechanged.

As described below, the method 600 provides an intuitive way to identifya target selectable object and move an object selection indicator to thetarget selectable object, if any. The method reduces the cognitiveburden on a user when navigating a user interface by moving an objectselection indicator, thereby creating a more efficient human-machineinterface. For battery-operated computing devices, enabling a user toselect target selectable objects using an object selection indicatorfaster and more efficiently conserves power and increases the timebetween battery charges.

The computing device sends (602) instructions to the display 450 fordisplaying at least a portion of a user interface. For example, in FIG.5A, a portion of a webpage is displayed on the display 450. It should beunderstood that, although only a portion of the user interface isdisplayed in this example, in some embodiments the entire user interfaceis displayed on the display 450 (e.g., by displaying a smaller userinterface or by displaying the user interface at a lower magnification).Additionally, while the examples described herein primarily refer to theuser interface as a webpage, it should be understood that the userinterface could be any user interface that includes selectable objects(e.g., an application user interface, an electronic document, anoperating system user interface, etc.) The user interface has one ormore selectable objects (e.g., 5006 in FIGS. 5A-5SS). In someembodiments, the user interface includes a plurality of selectableobjects. In some embodiments, the user interface includes an electronicdocument with a plurality of selectable objects. In some embodiments,the selectable objects include one or more hyperlinks (e.g., 5006-1,5006-2, 5006-3, 5006-4, 5006-5 in FIG. 5A), photos, advertisements(e.g., 5006-7 and 5006-8 in FIG. 5A) blocks of text, videos (e.g.,5006-8, 5006-9 in FIG. 5A), icons, text fields, option selectioninterfaces or the like.

The computing device receives (604) an input that corresponds to a firstgesture detected on the touch-sensitive surface 452. In someembodiments, the gesture is a tap and hold gesture, a tap and draggesture, a flick gesture or other contact-based gesture. In someembodiments, the input is received at the computing device from a remotedevice (e.g., either raw contact data or processed gesture outputs). Forexample in FIG. 5A, the touch-sensitive surface 452 detects a gestureincluding a contact 5008 on the touch-sensitive surface 452 andsubsequent movement of the contact across the touch-sensitive surface452 and sends an input to the computing device that corresponds to thedetected gesture. In some other embodiments, the input is received froma touch-sensitive surface 452 that is integrated with the computingdevice (e.g., a touchpad on a laptop or a touch screen display).

The computing device sends (606) instructions to the display 450 fordisplaying an object selection indicator. In some embodiments, theobject selection indicator is displayed prior to detecting the input(e.g., object selection indicator 5010 in FIG. 5A). In some embodiments,the instructions for displaying the object selection indicator are sentto the display 450 in response to receiving the input that correspondsto the first gesture. As one example of these embodiments, in FIG. 5A,the object selection indicator 5010 would initially only be displayed inFIG. 5A after the contact 5008 had been detected on the touch-sensitivesurface 452. In some embodiments, the object selection indicator is adynamic object selection indicator (e.g., an object selection indicatorthat changes size and/or shape in response to inputs received from theuser to conform to the size and/or shape of a target selectable object,as described in greater detail below with reference to method 700).

Operations 610-636 are performed (608) in response to receiving theinput (e.g., contact 5008 in FIG. 5A and subsequent movement of thecontact across the touch-sensitive surface 452) that corresponds to thefirst gesture.

The computing device searches (610) for a target selectable object. Insome embodiments, the target selectable object is within the displayedportion of the user interface (e.g., the target selectable object is oneof the selectable objects 5006-1, 5006-2, 5006-3, 5006-4, 5006-5,5006-6, 5006-7, 5006-8, 5006-9 shown on the display 450 in FIG. 5A). Insome embodiments, the target selectable object is outside of thedisplayed portion of the user interface (e.g., as illustrated in FIGS.5U-5W where the “long remember” hyperlink selectable object 5006-10 isinitially not in the portion of the webpage that is displayed on thedisplay 450 in FIG. 5U, but the webpage is scrolled so as to display the“long remember” hyperlink selectable object 5006-10 on the display 450in FIGS. 5V-5W).

In some embodiments, searching for the target selectable object includessearching (612) for the target selectable object in accordance with thefirst gesture (e.g., contact 5008 in FIG. 5A and subsequent movement ofthe contact across the touch-sensitive surface 452). In someembodiments, searching for the target selectable object includescalculating (614) a trajectory (e.g., 5012 in FIG. 5B) of the objectselection indicator (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5B) based on the first gesture(e.g., contact 5008 in FIG. 5A and subsequent movement of the contactacross the touch-sensitive surface 452). In some embodiments, thetrajectory is calculated (616) based on simulated physical properties ofthe object selection indicator (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5B). For example, theobject selection indicator has a simulated mass and coefficient offriction and the object selection indicator moves in a directiondetermined by a direction of the first gesture on the touch-sensitivesurface 452 and moves a distance across the display 450 that isdetermined in accordance with a simulated “force” of the first gesture(e.g., a value determined based on the speed of the first input).

In some embodiments, searching for the target selectable object includessearching (618) for one or more candidate selectable objects that meetpredefined candidate criteria. In some embodiments, the candidatecriteria are met (620) for a respective selectable object if therespective selectable object is within a predefined distance of atermination point of the trajectory (e.g., when the respectiveselectable object is within a predefined, adjustable snapping radius).For example, in FIG. 5B, the computing device identifies a terminationpoint of the trajectory (e.g., the end of arrow representing thetrajectory 5012 in FIG. 5B), identifies a radius (e.g., 5014 in FIG. 5B)of 40 pixels around the termination point and identifies selectableobjects (e.g., Advertisement 1 5006-6, Advertisement 2 5006-7 and“policy” hyperlink 5006-4) that are within the radius (e.g., 5014 inFIG. 5B). It should be understood that, in some embodiments, aselectable object is “within” the radius if any portion of object iswithin the radius, while in other embodiments a selectable object is“within” the radius only if a centroid of the object is within theradius or only if the entire object (i.e., every point contained withinthe object) is within the radius. Additionally, it should be understoodthat, in some embodiments, selectable objects are classified into aplurality of different classes of selectable objects, and certainclasses of objects are selected preferentially based on their classstatus. As one example, selectable objects that are hyperlinks areselected preferentially over other selectable objects. This preferentialselection may include determining if there are any hyperlinks within theradius, and, if so, selecting the hyperlink that is closest to thetermination point of the trajectory as the target selectable object,and, if not, identifying another selectable object that is closest tothe termination point of the trajectory as the target selectable object.For example, if a paragraph of text within a webpage and a hyperlinkwithin the paragraph are both within a radius of 40 pixels from thetermination point of the trajectory, the computing device would selectthe hyperlink as the target selectable object.

In some embodiments, when one or more candidate selectable objects(e.g., 5006-4, 5006-6 and 5006-7 in FIG. 5B) are found, the computingdevice identifies (622) a respective candidate selectable object (e.g.,“policy” hyperlink 5006-4) as the target selectable object. In someembodiments, when no candidate selectable objects are found, thecomputing device fails to identify a target selectable object, asdescribed in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 5D-5G. In someembodiments, the respective candidate selectable object (e.g., 5006-4 inFIG. 5B) is identified (624) as the target selectable object based onproximity of the respective candidate selectable object to a terminationpoint of the trajectory (e.g., 5012 in FIG. 5B). In some embodiments,identifying one of the candidate selectable objects as the targetselectable object includes selecting (626) a respective candidateselectable object (e.g., 5006-4) that is closest to a termination pointof the trajectory (e.g., 5012 in FIG. 5B) as the target selectableobject. In some embodiments, the computing device selects a selectableobject (e.g., 5006-4 in FIG. 5B) within the predefined, adjustablesnapping radius (e.g., 5014 in FIG. 5B) that is closest to thetermination point of the trajectory (e.g., 5012 in FIG. 5B).

The computing device sends (630) instructions to the display 450 formoving the object selection indicator. When a target selectable object(e.g., 5006-4 in FIGS. 5B-5C) is identified, moving the object selectionindicator includes moving (632) the object selection indicator towardsthe target selectable object. For example, in FIG. 5C, the display 450displays an animation of the object selection indicator 5010 moving froma first location 5010-a to a second location 5010-b to a third location5010-c, as illustrated in FIG. 5C towards the target selectable object5006-4. In some embodiments, moving the object selection indicatortowards the target selectable object includes moving the objectselection indicator to the target selectable object (e.g., so that thetarget selection indicator at least partly overlaps the targetselectable object). For example, in FIG. 5D the object selectionindicator 5010 is displayed surrounding the target selectable object5006-4.

When a target selectable object is not identified, moving the objectselection indicator includes moving (634) the object selection indicatorin accordance with the first gesture (e.g., along a direction on thedisplay 450 that corresponds to a direction of the first gesture on thetouch-sensitive surface 452). For example in FIG. 5D a gesture isdetected that includes a contact 5016 and movement of the contact acrossthe touch-sensitive surface 452. In this example, the computing devicedetermines a trajectory (e.g., 5018 in FIG. 5E) based on simulatedphysical properties of the object selection indicator, as described ingreater detail above. The computing device determines a terminationpoint (e.g., the end of the arrow representing the trajectory 5018 inFIG. 5E) of the trajectory and searches for a target selectable objectwithin a predefined radius (e.g., 5020 in FIG. 5E) from the terminationpoint of the trajectory (e.g., 5018 in FIG. 5E). However, in thisexample the computing device does not find any candidate selectableobjects within the radius (e.g., 5020 in FIG. 5E).

It is advantageous to identify a target selectable object and move theobject selection indicator towards the target selectable object, so thata user does not need to make precise movements in order to get theobject selection indicator to a selectable object. Rather, the user cansimply make a gesture in the general direction of a selectable object,and the object selection indicator will select the selectable objectintended by the user (provided that the user's input is reasonablyaccurate), thereby improving the efficiency and ease of navigatingthrough the user interface for the user. Additionally, it isadvantageous that when no target selectable object is found within aradius of the trajectory, the object selection indicator is moved inaccordance with the first gesture, because in these situations the userhas not provided a reasonably accurate input (e.g., an input that putsthe object selection indicator close to a selectable object). Here, thecomputing device has a higher likelihood of identifying the wrongselectable object as the target selectable object. Thus, it is moreefficient not to select any target selectable object and wait for theuser to enter additional inputs.

Consequently, in this example, because no candidate selectable objectsare found, a target selectable object is not identified, and the objectselection indicator is moved in accordance with the first gesture (e.g.,along the trajectory 5018 that was identified based on the simulatedphysical properties of the object selection indicator 5010 in FIG. 5E).This example is illustrated in FIG. 5F, where the object selectionindicator 5010 moves along the identified trajectory (e.g., from a firstlocation 5010-a to a second location 5010-b to a third location 5010-c).It should be understood that operations that are performed in accordancewith the first gesture are made in accordance with an input thatcorresponds to the first gesture (e.g., when the first gesture isdetected at a touch-sensitive surface 452 that is distinct from thecomputing device and the touch-sensitive surface 452 sends the input tothe computing device that is representative of the first gesture, whichis then used to determine operations to perform at the computingdevice).

In some embodiments, when no candidate selectable objects are found,sending instructions to the display 450 for moving the object selectionindicator in accordance with the first gesture includes sending (635)instructions to the display 450 for moving the object selectionindicator to a termination point of the trajectory (e.g., 5018 in FIG.5E). Continuing the example from above, the object selection indicator(e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5E) is moved from its previous location (e.g.,proximate to selectable object 5006-4 in FIG. 5E) to a location (e.g.,5010 in FIG. 5G) that is proximate to a termination point of thetrajectory (e.g., 5018 in FIG. 5E). In some embodiments, sendinginstructions to the display 450 for moving the object selectionindicator in accordance with the first gesture includes calculating(636) a trajectory of the object selection indicator based on the firstgesture and sending instructions to the display 450 for moving theobject selection indicator to a termination point of the trajectory, asdescribed in greater detail above.

Note that details of other processes described herein with respect tomethods 700, 800, 900 (e.g., FIGS. 7A-7C, 8A-8E, 9A-9D and 5A-5SS) arealso applicable in an analogous manner to the method 600 describedabove. For example, the selectable objects 5006 (e.g., hyperlinks,advertisements, images, videos) and object selection indicator 5010described with reference to FIGS. 6A-6C may have one or more of thecharacteristics of the various selectable objects 5006 and objectselection indicator 5010 described herein with reference to any ofmethods 700, 800 and/or 900. For brevity, these details are not repeatedhere.

FIGS. 7A-7C are flow diagrams illustrating a method 700 of resizing anobject selection indicator based on a size of a target selectable objectin accordance with some embodiments. The method 700 is performed at acomputing device (e.g., device 300, FIG. 3, or portable multifunctiondevice 100, FIGS. 1A-1B) that is in communication with a display (e.g.,450 in FIGS. 5A-5SS) and a touch-sensitive surface (e.g., 452 in FIGS.5A-5SS). In some embodiments, the display and/or the touch-sensitivesurface are separate from the device (e.g., either as part of separatecomputing devices or wirelessly connected to the computing device). Insome embodiments, the display and/or the touch-sensitive surface areintegrated into the computing device. In some embodiments, the displayis a touch screen display and the touch-sensitive surface is on thedisplay. In some embodiments, the display is separate from thetouch-sensitive surface. Some operations in method 700 may be combinedand/or the order of some operations may be changed.

As described below, the method 700 provides an intuitive way to indicatethe selection of a selectable object to a user of a computing device.The method reduces the cognitive burden on a user when selecting targetselectable objects using an object selection indicator, thereby creatinga more efficient human-machine interface. For battery-operated computingdevices, enabling a user to select target selectable objects using anobject selection indicator faster and more efficiently conserves powerand increases the time between battery charges.

The computing device sends (702) instructions to the display 450 fordisplaying at least a portion of a user interface, the user interfacehaving one or more selectable objects. For example, in FIG. 5A a portionof a webpage is displayed on the display 450. It should be understoodthat, although only a portion of the user interface is displayed in thisexample, in some embodiments the entire user interface is displayed onthe display 450 (e.g., by displaying a smaller user interface or bydisplaying the user interface at a lower magnification). Additionally,while the examples described herein primarily refer to the userinterface as a webpage, it should be understood that the user interfacecould be any user interface that includes selectable objects (e.g., anapplication user interface, an electronic document, an operating systemuser interface, etc.) The user interface has one or more selectableobjects (e.g., 5006 in FIGS. 5A-5SS). In some embodiments, the userinterface includes a plurality of selectable objects. In someembodiments, the user interface includes an electronic document with aplurality of selectable objects. In some embodiments, the selectableobjects include one or more hyperlinks (e.g., 5006-1, 5006-2, 5006-3,5006-4, 5006-5 in FIG. 5A), photos, advertisements (e.g., 5006-7 and5006-8 in FIG. 5A) blocks of text, videos (e.g., 5006-8, 5006-9 in FIG.5A), icons, text fields, option selection interfaces or the like.

The computing device receives (704) an input that corresponds to a firstgesture detected on the touch-sensitive surface 452. In someembodiments, the gesture is a tap and hold gesture, a tap and draggesture, a flick gesture or other contact-based gesture. In someembodiments, the input is received at the computing device from a remotedevice (e.g., either raw contact data or processed gesture outputs). Forexample in FIGS. 5I-5L, the touch-sensitive surface 452 detects agesture including a contact 5024 on the touch-sensitive surface 452 andsubsequent movement (e.g., from a first location 5024-a in FIGS. 5I-5Jto a second location 5024-b in FIG. 5K to a third location 5024-c inFIG. 5L) of the contact 5024 across the touch-sensitive surface 452 andsends an input to the computing device that corresponds to the detectedgesture. In some other embodiments, the input is received from atouch-sensitive surface 452 that is integrated with the computing device(e.g., a touchpad on a laptop or a touch screen display).

The computing device sends (706) instructions to the display 450 fordisplaying an object selection indicator at a first size (e.g., in FIG.5I the object selection indicator 5010 is displayed at a first size thatis sufficient to surround the “government” hyperlink 5006-5). In someembodiments, the object selection indicator is displayed in response todetecting the first gesture. In other words, in some embodiments, priorto detecting the contact (e.g., 5024 in FIG. 5I) the object selectionindicator (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5I) is not displayed. In some embodiments,the object selection indicator is a dynamic object selection indicator(e.g., an object selection indicator that changes size and/or shape inresponse to inputs received from the user to conform to the size and/orshape of a target selectable object, as described herein).

In some embodiments, the computing device identifies (708) the targetselectable object in accordance with the first gesture. For example, inFIG. 5L, the computing device identifies a selectable object 5006-7 thatis within a predefined radius 5028 of the object selection indicator5010 as the target selectable object.

In some embodiments, the device fails to identify a target selectableobject (e.g., within the predefined radius), and the object selectionindicator is displayed at a location in the user interface that isdetermined based on the first gesture, as described above in greaterdetail above with reference to method 600. For example in FIGS. 5D-5Gthe computing device moves the object selection indicator 5010 to alocation (e.g., location 5010 in FIG. 5G) within the user interface thatis determined based on the first input (e.g., contact 5016 in FIG. 5Dand subsequent movement of the contact across the touch-sensitivesurface 452). In some embodiments, the object selection indicator ceasesto be displayed after a predetermined period of time, as described ingreater detail with reference to method 900 below. For example, theobject selection indicator (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5G) would cease to bedisplayed after a predetermined time period.

In some embodiments, identifying the target selectable object includes:calculating (710) a trajectory of the object selection indicator basedon simulated physical properties of the object selection indicator, asdescribed in greater detail above with reference to FIGS. 5A-5D. In someembodiments, the simulated physical properties are (712) selected fromthe set consisting of: inertia, friction and elasticity. In someembodiments, the identifying the target selectable object also includesidentifying (714) a selectable object in the one or more selectableobjects that is closest to a termination point of the trajectory as thetarget selectable object, as described in greater detail above withreference to FIGS. 5A-5D.

In some embodiments, in response to identifying the target selectableobject, the computing device sends (716) instructions to the display 450for displaying a selection preview indicator proximate to or at thetarget selectable object (e.g., the selection preview indicator is a boxaround a respective selectable object that indicates to the user thatthe respective selectable object will be the target selectable object ifthe device detects a selection input such as a mouse-up gesture orcontact release gesture). In some embodiments, the object selectionindicator is displayed at a predefined size (e.g., the size of theobject selection indicator 5010 in FIG. 5L) in response to detectingpredefined criteria (e.g., detecting a contact 5024 with thetouch-sensitive surface 452 for more than a predefined period of time,such as 0.5 seconds, 1 second, 2 seconds or any reasonable period oftime). In some embodiments, the selection preview indicator is displayedwhen the object selector is displayed at the predefined size (e.g., whenthe object selection indicator is in “cursor mode”). For example, inFIG. 5L, a selection preview indicator (e.g., the grey shading over the“advertisement 2” selectable object 5006-7 in FIG. 5L) is displayed,which indicates to the user that the respective selectable object (e.g.,5006-7 in FIG. 5L) will be the target selectable object if the contactis lifted off of the touch-sensitive surface 452 (e.g., as illustratedin FIG. 5M, where the object selection indicator 5010 is surrounding the“advertisement 2” selectable object 5006-7).

In response receiving the input that corresponds to the first gesture(e.g., contact 5024 and movement of the contact from a first location5024-a in FIGS. 5I-5J to a second location 5024-b in FIG. 5K to a thirdlocation 5024-c in FIG. 5L), the computing device sends (718)instructions to the display 450 for moving the object selectionindicator towards a target selectable object of the one or moreselectable objects in accordance with the first gesture. In someembodiments, moving the object selection indicator towards a targetselectable object includes moving the object selection indicator to atarget selectable object. For example, in FIG. 5I, at the start of thefirst gesture (e.g., the tap-and-drag gesture including contact 5024)the object selection indicator is displayed at a first location in theuser interface (e.g., the location of the object selection indicator5010 in FIG. 5I), while after first gesture has ended (e.g., in FIG. 5Mafter detecting liftoff of the contact 5024), the object selectionindicator (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5M) is displayed surrounding the targetselectable object (e.g., “advertisement 2” 5006-7 in FIG. 5M).

In some embodiments, the movement is in response to a flick gesture onthe touch-sensitive surface 452 in a direction that corresponds to adirection on the display 450 towards the target selectable object (e.g.,as described in greater detail above with reference to contact 5008 andsubsequent movement of the contact across the touch-sensitive surface452). In some embodiments, the movement is in response to a tap and draggesture (e.g., contact 5024 in FIGS. 5I-5L) on the touch-sensitivesurface 452 to a location on the touch-sensitive surface 452 thatcorresponds to a location (e.g., the location of the object selectionindicator 5010 in FIG. 5L) on the display 450 that is proximate to thetarget selectable object (e.g., 5006-7 in FIG. 5L). It should beunderstood that operations that are performed in accordance with thefirst gesture are made in accordance with an input that corresponds tothe first gesture (e.g., when the first gesture is detected at atouch-sensitive surface 452 that is distinct from the computing deviceand the touch-sensitive surface 452 sends the input to the computingdevice).

In some embodiments, the object selection indicator is moved inaccordance with a trajectory. In some embodiments, when the trajectoryintersects with a boundary of the user interface, sending instructionsto the display 450 for moving the object selection indicator includessending (720) instructions to the display 450 for displaying ananimation of the object selection indicator bouncing off of the boundaryof the user interface, as described in greater detail below withreference to FIGS. 5M-5O.

In some embodiments, sending instructions to the display 450 for movingthe object selection indicator towards the target selectable objectincludes sending (722) instructions to the display 450 for moving theobject selection indicator to a location of the target selectable objectwithin the user interface (e.g., the instructions sent to the display450 include instructions to resize the object selection indicator so asto encompass, border, enclose, or otherwise highlight the targetselectable object). For example in FIGS. 5I-5M, the object selectionindicator 5010 is moved to a location that corresponds to the targetselectable object (e.g., in FIG. 5M the object selection indicator 5010encompasses the “advertisement 2” selectable object 5006-7).

After receiving an input that corresponds to detecting an end of thefirst gesture, the computing device sends (724) instructions to thedisplay 450 for resizing the object selection indicator to a secondsize, wherein the second size is based on a size of the targetselectable object, and the second size is distinct from the first size.For example, in FIG. 5M, the computing device receives an input thatcorresponds to a liftoff of contact 5024-c (FIG. 5L) from thetouch-sensitive surface 452. In this example, after (or in response to)detecting the liftoff of the contact, the computing device displays theobject selection indicator (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5M) at a second size thatis different from the first size (e.g., the size of the object selectionindicator 5010 in FIG. 5I). In some embodiments, there is only oneselectable object, and then the single selectable object is the targetobject. In some embodiments, the object selection indicator also movestowards the target selectable object (e.g., the object selectionindicator moves from a location 5010 in FIG. 5I that is proximate to afirst selectable object 5006-5 in FIG. 5I to a location 5010 in FIG. 5Mthat is proximate to a second selectable object 5006-7 in FIG. 5M). Insome embodiments, the resizing is performed in response to receiving aninput that corresponds to detecting an end of the first gesture (e.g.,the resizing is performed in response to receiving an input thatcorresponds to detecting liftoff of a contact 5024 from thetouch-sensitive surface 452).

In some embodiments, sending instructions to the display 450 forresizing the object selection indicator includes sending (726)instructions to the display 450 for resizing the object selectionindicator from the first size to the second size. In some embodiments,the device displays an animation of the object selection indicatorresizing from the first size to the second size. For example in FIGS.5A-5D the computing device sends instructions to the display to displaythe object selection indicator 5010 changing from a first size (e.g., asillustrated by object selection indicator 5010 in FIG. 5A) to a secondsize (e.g., as illustrated by object selection indicator 5010 in FIG.5D). In some embodiments, the animation includes displaying the objectselection indicator smoothly changing size (e.g., from 5010-a to 5010-bto 5010-c in FIG. 5C) as it moves from a first selectable object (e.g.,5006-3 in FIG. 5C) towards a second selectable object (e.g., 5006-6 inFIG. 5C). In some embodiments the animation shows the object selectionindicator changing directly from the first size to the second size, asillustrated in FIGS. 5A-5D.

It advantageous to resize the object selection indicator dynamically tomatch a size of a target selectable object to clearly indicate to a userwhich object is currently selected by the object selection indicator.This visual feedback improves the ease with which the user understandsthe actions that will be performed by the computing device if the userchooses to activate the selectable object that is currently selected,thereby reducing the likelihood that the user will activate a selectableobject by accident.

In some embodiments, the object selection indicator has a first locationat the end of the first gesture; and the computing device sends (728)instructions to the display 450 for displaying an animation of theobject selection indicator moving from the first location to a secondlocation that is proximate to the target selectable object. For examplein FIG. 5L the object selection indicator 5010 has a first location atthe end of the first gesture (e.g., when the device determines that thecontact 5024-c in FIG. 5L has been terminated, as illustrated in FIG.5M), and thereafter the device instructs the display to display ananimation of the object selection indicator transitioning from the firstlocation (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5L) to a second location (e.g., 5010 inFIG. 5M) where the object selection indicator is encompassing the targetselectable object (e.g., the “advertisement 2” selectable object 5006-7in FIG. 5M).

In some embodiments, the input received by the device that correspondsto the first gesture indicates that the first gesture includes contactwith the touch-sensitive surface 452 for a time that is greater than apredetermined time threshold, and, while continuing to detect the inputthat corresponds to the contact on the touch-sensitive surface 452, thedevice sends (730) instructions to the display 450 for displaying theobject selection indicator at a predefined size. For example, in FIG.5I, the computing device detects an input that corresponds to a contact5024-a with the touch-sensitive surface 452 while the object selectionindicator is at a first size (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5I). Continuing thisexample, after the contact has been detected for more than apredetermined time threshold (e.g., 0.1 seconds, 0.2 seconds, 0.3seconds, 0.5 seconds, 1 second, 2 seconds or any reasonable threshold)on the touch-sensitive surface, the computing device determines thecontact (e.g., 5024-a in FIG. 5J) has been detected for more than thepredetermined time threshold, and in response the computing device sendsinstructions to the display 450 to display the object selectionindicator at a predefined size (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5J).

In some embodiments, sending instructions to the display 450 fordisplaying the object selection indicator at a predefined size includessending (732) instructions to the display 450 for resizing the objectselection indicator from the first size to the predefined size. In someof these embodiments, the computing device sends instructions to thedisplay 450 for displaying an animation of the object selectionindicator resizing from the first size to the predefined size. Forexample, in FIGS. 5I-5J the computing device would send instructions tothe display 450 for displaying the object selection indicator shrinkingfrom the first size (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5I) to the predefined size(e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5J).

In some embodiments, while the computing device continues to detect thatthe contact (e.g., 5024 in FIGS. 5I-5L) is maintained on thetouch-sensitive surface 452, the computing device continues to sendinstructions to the display 450 to display the object selectionindicator at the predefined size (e.g., 5010 in FIGS. 5J-5L). In someembodiments, while the computing device continues to detect that thecontact (e.g., 5024 in FIGS. 5I-5L) is maintained on the touch-sensitivesurface 452, the computing device sends instructions to the display 450to move the object selection indicator in accordance with movements ofthe contact. For example, in FIG. 5J the computing device receives aninput on the touch-sensitive surface 452 (e.g., movement of contact 5024from 5024-a in FIG. 5J to 5024-b in FIG. 5K) that corresponds tomovement of the contact upwards on the display 450 and sendsinstructions to the display 450 to move the object selection indicatorupwards on the display (e.g., from 5010 in FIG. 5J to 5010 in FIG. 5K).Continuing this example, in FIG. 5K the computing device receives aninput that corresponds to movement of the contact to the left (e.g.,from 5024-b in FIG. 5K to 5024-c in FIG. 5L) on the touch-sensitivesurface 452 and sends instructions to the display to move the objectselection indicator towards the left on the display (e.g., from 5010 inFIG. 5K to 5010 in FIG. 5L). Additionally, FIG. 5K and FIG. 5L alsoillustrate the display of a selection preview indicator (e.g., theshaded overlay over various selectable user interface objects within theuser interface) indicating the selectable object (e.g., 5006-4 in FIGS.5K and 5006-7 in FIG. 5L) that would be identified as the targetselectable object if the computing device were to detect an input thatcorresponded to a liftoff of the contact from the touch-sensitivesurface 452. For example, in FIG. 5K, the computing device determines(e.g., by identifying the closest selectable object to the objectselection indicator 5010 that is within a predefined radius 5026 of theobject selection indicator 5010 in FIG. 5K) that the “policy” hyperlink5006-4 would be the target selectable object if the computing devicewere to receive an input that corresponded to a liftoff of contact5024-b from the touch-sensitive surface and in response sendsinstructions to the display 450 for displaying shading over the “policy”hyperlink 5006-4.

In some embodiments, sending instructions to the display 450 forresizing the object selection indicator to the second size includessending (734) instructions to the display 450 for resizing the objectselection indicator from the predefined size to the second size (e.g.,from the object selection indicator 5010 in FIG. 5L to the objectselection indicator 5010 in FIG. 5M). In some embodiments, the computingdevice sends instructions to the display 450 for displaying an animationof the object selection indicator resizing from the predefined size tothe second size. For example, the computing device sends instructions tothe display 450 to display the object selection indicator expanding fromthe predefined size (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5L) to the second size (e.g.,5010 in FIG. 5M). In other words, in some embodiments, when thecomputing device continues to receive input from the touch-sensitivesurface 452 that corresponds to continuing to detect the contact, thecomputing device sends instructions to the display 450 such that theobject selection indicator acts like a cursor (e.g., the objectselection indicator has a predetermined size and moves in accordancewith the movement of the contact and stops moving when the contactstops), as described in greater detail above with reference to FIGS.5I-5M. In contrast, when the computing device receives an input thatcorresponds to just detecting a flick on the touch-sensitive surface452, the computing device sends instructions to the display 450 suchthat the object selection indicator acts like a dynamic selection box(e.g., the object selection indicator moves in accordance with simulatedphysical properties and is resized directly from a first size to asecond size as illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5D above).

In some embodiments, after sending instructions to the display 450 forresizing the object selection indicator to the second size, while theobject selection indicator is at the target selectable object, thecomputing device receives (736) an activation input for the targetselectable object (e.g., a single tap gesture, a double tap gesture, an“enter” command, etc.) from the touch-sensitive surface 452 or otherinput device. In response to receiving the activation input for thetarget selectable object, the computing device performs (738) an actionassociated with the target selectable object and sends instructions tothe display 450 in accordance with the action (e.g., navigating to auser interface based on a hyperlink associated with the targetselectable object, entering a text entry field, changing a state of aselection field such as a radio button, check box, etc.). For example,in FIG. 5M, the computing device receives an input that corresponds to atap gesture (e.g., 5030 in FIG. 5M) on the touch-sensitive surface 452,and in response to receiving the input, the computing device accesses anadvertisement associated with the “advertisement 2” selectable object5006-7 and sends instructions to the display 450 to display theadvertisement associated with the selectable object (not shown).

In some embodiments, the object selection indicator is moved inaccordance with a trajectory. In some embodiments, when the trajectoryintersects with a boundary of the user interface, sending instructionsto the display 450 for moving the object selection indicator includessending (720) instructions to the display 450 for displaying ananimation of the object selection indicator bouncing off of the boundaryof the user interface. For example, in FIG. 5M, the computing devicereceives an input that corresponds to a gesture detected on atouch-sensitive surface (e.g., contact 5032 and subsequent movement ofthe contact across the touch-sensitive surface 452 in FIG. 5M). Inresponse to detecting the input, the computing device determines atrajectory (e.g., 5034 in FIG. 5N) of the object selection indicator(e.g., 5010 in FIGS. 5M-5N). In some embodiments the trajectory isdetermined in accordance with simulated physical properties of theobject selection indicator as discussed in greater detail above.Continuing the example from above, as illustrated in FIG. 5N, thetrajectory 5034 intersects with a top boundary of the user interface(e.g., a top of the webpage that is shown at the top of the display 450)and the trajectory 5034 reflects off of the boundary of the userinterface. Consequently, in this example, when the object selectionindicator moves along the trajectory (e.g., from a first location 5010-ain FIG. 5N to a second location 5010-b in FIG. 5N to a third location5010-c in FIG. 5N to a fourth location 5010-d in FIG. 5N and finallocation 5010 in FIG. 5O) it appears to “bounce” off of the boundary ofthe user interface (e.g., as though the boundary was made of rubber andthe object selection indicator is a physical object with inertia).Additionally, the object selection indicator 5010 in FIGS. 5M-5O isshown changing size from a first size (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5M) that isbased on a size of a first selectable object (e.g., 5006-7 in FIGS.5M-5O) to a second size (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5O) that is based on a sizeof a second selectable object (e.g., 5006-2 in FIGS. 5M-5O).

Note that details of other processes described herein with respect tomethods 600, 800, 900 (e.g., FIGS. 6A-6C, 8A-8E, 9A-9D and 5A-5SS) arealso applicable in an analogous manner to the method 700 describedabove. For example, the selectable objects 5006 (e.g., hyperlinks,advertisements, images, videos) and object selection indicator 5010described with reference to FIGS. 7A-7C may have one or more of thecharacteristics of the various selectable objects 5006 and objectselection indicator 5010 described herein with reference to any ofmethods 600, 800 and/or 900. For brevity, these details are not repeatedhere.

FIGS. 8A-8E are flow diagrams illustrating a method 800 of moving anobject selection indicator and scrolling a user interface in accordancewith the movement of the object selection indicator in accordance withsome embodiments. The method 800 is performed at a computing device(e.g., device 300, FIG. 3, or portable multifunction device 100, FIGS.1A-1B) that is in communication with a display (e.g., 450 in FIGS.5A-5SS) and a touch-sensitive surface (e.g., 452 in FIGS. 5A-5SS). Insome embodiments, the display and/or the touch-sensitive surface areseparate from the device (e.g., either as part of separate computingdevices or wirelessly connected to the computing device). In someembodiments, the display and/or the touch-sensitive surface areintegrated into the computing device. In some embodiments, the displayis a touch screen display and the touch-sensitive surface is on thedisplay. In some embodiments, the display is separate from thetouch-sensitive surface. Some operations in method 800 may be combinedand/or the order of some operations may be changed.

As described below, the method 800 provides an intuitive way to navigatein a user interface by moving an object selection indicator andscrolling a user interface in accordance with the movement of the objectselection indicator. The method reduces the cognitive burden on a userwhen navigating in a user interface, thereby creating a more efficienthuman-machine interface. For battery-operated computing devices,enabling a user to move an object selection indicator within a userinterface faster and more efficiently conserves power and increases thetime between battery charges.

The computing device sends (802) instructions to the display 450 fordisplaying a portion of a user interface, the user interface having oneor more selectable objects. For example, in FIG. 5O, a portion of awebpage is displayed on the display 450. While the examples describedherein primarily refer to the user interface as a webpage, it should beunderstood that the user interface could be any user interface thatincludes selectable objects (e.g., an application user interface, anelectronic document, an operating system user interface, etc.) The userinterface has one or more selectable objects (e.g., 5006 in FIGS.5A-5SS). In some embodiments, the user interface includes a plurality ofselectable objects. In some embodiments, the user interface includes anelectronic document with a plurality of selectable objects. In someembodiments, the selectable objects include one or more hyperlinks(e.g., 5006-1, 5006-2, 5006-3, 5006-4, 5006-5 in FIG. 5O), photos,advertisements (e.g., 5006-7 and 5006-8 in FIG. 5A) blocks of text,videos (e.g., 5006-8, 5006-9 in FIG. 5O), icons, text fields, optionselection interfaces or the like.

The computing device receives (804) an input that corresponds to a firstgesture detected on the touch-sensitive surface 452. In someembodiments, the gesture is a tap and hold gesture, a tap and draggesture, a flick gesture or other contact-based gesture. In someembodiments, the input is received at the computing device from a remotedevice (e.g., either raw contact data or processed gesture outputs). Forexample, in FIG. 5O, the touch-sensitive surface 452 detects a gesturethat includes a contact 5036 on the touch-sensitive surface 452 andsubsequent movement of the contact 5036 across the touch-sensitivesurface 452 and sends an input to the computing device that correspondsto the detected gesture. In some other embodiments, the input isreceived from a touch-sensitive surface 452 that is integrated with thecomputing device (e.g., a touchpad on a laptop or a touch screendisplay).

The computing device sends (806) instructions to the display 450 fordisplaying an object selection indicator (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5O). Insome embodiments, the object selection indicator is displayed inresponse to detecting the first gesture. In other words, in someembodiments, the object selection indicator 5010 in FIG. 5O is notdisplayed on the display 450 until after the contact 5036 has beendetected on the touch-sensitive surface 452.

In response to receiving the input that corresponds to the firstgesture, the computing device determines (808) an updated location forthe object selection indicator within the user interface in accordancewith the first gesture. In some embodiments, the movement is a flick ina first direction (e.g., contact 5036 in FIG. 5O and subsequent movementof the contact across the touch-sensitive surface 452). In someembodiments, the movement is a tap and drag gesture that includesmovement in a first direction.

It should be understood that the updated location can be any locationwithin the user interface, not merely a location within the currentlydisplayed portion of the user interface. Thus the updated location canbe either within the currently displayed portion of the user interface(e.g., as described in greater detail above with reference to FIGS.5O-5P) or in a portion of the user interface that is not currentlydisplayed (e.g., as described in greater detail below with reference toFIGS. 5T-5W). In other words, the computing device treats the objectselection indicator as though it is a physical object that can movewithin the entire user interface. In some embodiments, when the objectselection indicator moves beyond the boundaries of the display 450, thedisplay 450 translates laterally to show the new location of the objectselection indicator (e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 5T-5W and describedin greater detail below). It should be understood that, in someembodiments, operations that are performed in accordance with the firstgesture are made in accordance with an input that corresponds to thefirst gesture (e.g., the operations are performed when the first gestureis detected at a touch-sensitive surface 452 that is distinct from thecomputing device and the touch-sensitive surface 452 sends the input tothe computing device).

In some embodiments, determining the updated location for the objectselection indicator includes: determining (810) a direction of movementof the object selection indicator based on the first gesture;identifying (812), as a target selectable object, a selectable objectthat is in the determined direction of movement; and selecting (814) alocation within the user interface that is proximate to or at a locationof the target selectable object as the updated location. For example inFIG. 5P, after receiving the input that corresponds to the first gesture(e.g., contact 5036 in FIG. 5O and subsequent movement of the contactalong the touch-sensitive surface 452), the computing device determinesa direction of movement of the first gesture (e.g., down and to the leftas illustrated in FIG. 5O) and moves the object selection indicator(e.g., 5010 in FIGS. 5P-5Q) in a direction that corresponds to thedirection of movement of the first gesture. Continuing this example, thecomputing device selects a location within the user interface that isproximate to a location of the target selectable object (the “policy”hyperlink selectable user interface object 5006-4 in FIG. 5P) as theupdated location (e.g., as illustrated by the location of the objectselection indicator 5010 in FIG. 5Q).

In some embodiments, determining the updated location for the objectselection indicator includes: calculating (816) a trajectory of theobject selection indicator based on the first gesture. In someembodiments, the trajectory is calculated (818) based on simulatedphysical properties of the object selection indicator. In someembodiments, the simulated physical properties are selected (820) fromthe set consisting of: inertia, friction and elasticity. In someembodiments, determining the updated location for the object selectionindicator further includes identifying (822) a selectable object in theone or more selectable objects that is closest to a termination point ofthe trajectory as a target selectable object. In some embodiments, thedevice selects (824) a location within the user interface that isproximate to a location of the target selectable object as the updatedlocation. In some embodiments, the updated location of the objectselection indicator is coextensive with the location of the identifiedselectable object. In some embodiments, the updated location of theobject selection indicator is adjacent to the location of the identifiedselectable object. For example, in FIG. 5P, after receiving the inputthat corresponds to the first gesture, the computing device determines atrajectory (e.g., 5040 in FIG. 5P) for the object selection indicator(e.g., 5010 in FIGS. 5P-5Q), determines an endpoint of the trajectory(e.g., an end of the arrow representing the trajectory 5040 in FIG. 5P),identifies a radius (e.g., 5042 in FIG. 5P), and identifies an updatedlocation for the object selection indicator (e.g., a location thatcorresponds to the “policy” hyperlink selectable user interface object5006-4 in FIG. 5P).

In some embodiments, the computing device determines (826) a movementpath for the object selection indicator by adjusting the trajectory sothat the updated location of the object selection indicator is an endpoint of the trajectory. In other words, the trajectory (e.g., 5040 inFIG. 5P) of the object selection indicator 5010 does not have anendpoint that is precisely at the target selectable object (e.g., 5006-4in FIG. 5P), and thus the computing device determines a movement paththat does have an endpoint at or near the target selectable object(e.g., 5006-4 in FIG. 5P). In some embodiments, the computing devicesends (828) instructions to the display 450 for displaying an animationof the object selection indicator moving along the movement path. Forexample, the computing device sends instructions to the display 450 fortranslating the object selection indicator from a first location to asecond location (e.g., from the location of the object selectionindicator 5010 in FIG. 5P to the location of the object selectionindicator 5010 in FIG. 5Q). In some embodiments, the object selectionindicator is resized as it moves along the movement path, as describedin greater detail above with reference to method 700.

In some embodiments, the computing device determines (830) a movementpath for the object selection indicator from a current location of theobject selection indicator to the updated location of the objectselection indicator. In other words, in accordance with someembodiments, the computing device determines a location (i.e., theupdated location) within the user interface (e.g., a selectable object)to which the object selection indicator will move based on the inputthat corresponds to the first gesture, and then determines a movementpath that will move the object selection indicator from its currentlocation within the user interface to the updated location. In someembodiments, the current location of the object selection indicator is alocation of the object selection indicator when the device receives aninput that corresponds to detection of an end of the first gesture. Inother words, if the first gesture is a flick gesture, the currentlocation will typically be proximate to a starting location of theobject selection indicator (e.g., the location of the object selectionindicator 5010 in FIG. 5P). In contrast, if a first gesture is a tap anddrag gesture (e.g., the gesture including contact 5024 described ingreater detail above with reference to FIGS. 5I-5L), then the currentlocation will typically be proximate to the updated location of theobject selection indicator (e.g., the location of the object selectionindicator 5010 in FIG. 5L).

When the updated location is within a portion of the user interface thatcorresponds to a predefined region (e.g., region 5038 in FIGS. 5O-5W) ofthe display 450, the predefined region being a subset of the display450: the computing device sends (832) instructions to the display 450for moving the object selection indicator to the updated locationwithout scrolling the user interface. In some embodiments, the subset ofthe display 450 is a region (e.g., 5038 in FIGS. 5O-5W) of the display450 that excludes a predefined region around the perimeter of thedisplay 450 (e.g., a 1 inch margin around the edge of the display isexcluded from the region of the display). It should be understood thatwhile the embodiments are described herein primarily with respect to aregion that is only a subset of the display, in some embodiments theregion includes the whole display and, for a current view of the userinterface, locations that are outside of the predefined region arelocations within the user interface that are not displayed in thecurrent view of the user interface on the display (e.g., selectableobjects that are off the edge of the display). In some embodiments, thecomputing device sends (834) instructions to the display 450 fordisplaying an animation of the object selection indicator moving alongthe movement path. In some embodiments, the object selection indicatoris resized as it moves along the movement path, as described in greaterdetail above with reference to method 700.

Operations 840-852 are performed (838) when the updated location isoutside of the portion of the user interface that corresponds to thepredefined region of the display 450 (e.g., outside of region 5038 inFIG. 5Q).

The computing device sends (840) instructions to the display 450 formoving the object selection indicator to the updated location. In someembodiments, the computing device sends (842) instructions to thedisplay 450 for displaying an animation of the object selectionindicator moving along the movement path. In some embodiments, theobject selection indicator is resized as it moves along the movementpath, as described in greater detail above with reference to method 700.For example, in FIG. 5Q, the computing device receives an input thatcorresponds to a first gesture (e.g., contact 5044 in FIG. 5Q andsubsequent movement of the contact 5044 across the touch-sensitivesurface 452). Continuing this example, the computing device determines atrajectory 5046 based on the input, determines an endpoint of thetrajectory and identifies a selectable object (e.g., the “government”hyperlink selectable object 5006-5 in FIG. 5R) that is within apredefined radius (e.g., 5048 in FIG. 5R) from the endpoint. In thisexample, the computing device sends instructions to the display formoving the object selection indicator (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5R) to theupdated location (e.g., instructions to move the object selectionindicator 5010 to a location in the user interface that is proximate tothe “government” hyperlink selectable object 5006-5, as illustrated inFIG. 5S).

The computing device sends (844) instructions to the display 450 forscrolling the user interface so as to display the updated locationwithin the predefined region of the display 450. For example in FIG. 5Rthe updated location (e.g., the location proximate to the “government”hyperlink selectable object 5006-5) is outside of the predefined region5038, while in FIG. 5S the user interface has been scrolled upwards onthe display 450 so that the updated location (e.g., the location that isproximate to the “government” hyperlink selectable object 5006-5) iswithin the predefined region 5038. In some embodiments, sendinginstructions to the display 450 for moving the object selectionindicator includes sending (846) instructions specifying: a faster phasewherein, during the faster phase, the object selection indicator ismoved faster than the user interface is scrolled; and a slower phasewherein, during the slower phase, the object selection indicator ismoved more slowly than the user interface is scrolled. In someembodiments, the slower phase follows the faster phase. In someembodiments, the faster phase follows the slower phase. In other words,in some embodiments, the object selection indicator 5010 is initiallymoved within the user interface more quickly than the user interface isscrolled on the display 450, and subsequently the object selectionindicator 5010 is moved within the user interface more slowly than theuser interface is scrolled on the display 450 so that the scrolling ofthe user interface can catch up to the movement of the object selectionindicator 5010. In contrast, in other embodiments, the object selectionindicator 5010 is initially moved within the user interface more slowlythan the user interface is scrolled on the display 450, and subsequentlythe object selection indicator 5010 is moved within the user interfacemore quickly than the user interface is scrolled on the display 450 sothat the movement of the object selection indicator 5010 can catch upwith the scrolling of the user interface.

In some embodiments, the instructions that are sent to the display 450for the movement of the object selection indicator and the instructionsthat are sent to the display 450 for the scrolling of the user interfaceare determined (848) based on simulated physical properties includingfriction and inertia. In some embodiments, the coefficient of frictionfor the user interface is greater than the coefficient of friction forthe object selection indicator (e.g., the speed of scrolling of the userinterface increases/decreases more slowly than the speed of movement ofthe object selection indicator increases/decreases). In other words, thecomputing device sends instructions to the display 450 such that theobject selection indicator will move off the screen and the userinterface will scroll so as to “catch up” to the object selectionindicator. In some embodiments, the coefficient of friction for the userinterface is less than the coefficient of friction for the objectselection indicator (e.g., the speed of scrolling of the user interfaceincreases/decreases more quickly than the speed of movement of theobject selection indicator increases/decreases). In other words, thecomputing device sends instructions to the display 450 such that theuser interface will scroll to the updated location and the objectselection indicator will move so as to “catch up” to the user interface.In some embodiments, the simulated physical properties of the object areadjustable (e.g., the user can determine the relative coefficient offriction of the object selection indicator and the user interface).

For example, in FIG. 5S, after detecting the input that corresponds tothe first gesture (e.g., contact 5044 and subsequent movement of thecontact across the touch-sensitive surface), the computing device sendsinstructions to move the object selection indicator (e.g., 5010 in FIGS.5R-5S) within the user interface faster than the user interface isscrolled, as illustrated in FIGS. 5R-5S. Thus, in this example, theobject selection indicator moves from a central location on the displayto an edge of the display (e.g., because the object selection indicator5010 is moving towards the selectable object 5006-5 faster than theportion of the user interface that includes the selectable object isbeing scrolled towards the center of the screen), as illustrated in FIG.5S. Subsequently, in this example, the computing device sendsinstructions to move the object selection indicator (e.g., 5010 in FIGS.5S-5T) within the user interface more slowly than the user interface isscrolled, as illustrated in FIGS. 5R-5S. Thus, in this example, theobject selection indicator moves from a location near an edge of thedisplay to location near the center of the display (e.g., because theobject selection indicator 5010 has reached the selectable object 5006-5and stopped moving and thus is moving more slowly than the portion ofthe user interface that includes the selectable object is being scrolledtowards the center of the screen), as illustrated in FIG. 5T.

In some embodiments, sending instructions to the display 450 forscrolling the user interface so as to display the updated locationwithin the predefined region of the display 450 includes sending (850)instructions to the display 450 for scrolling the user interface so thatthe object selection indicator is proximate to or at an edge thepredefined region of the display 450 (e.g., the user interface is onlyscrolled as far as is necessary to place the object selection indicatorjust within the predefined region of the display 450). For example, inFIGS. 5Q-5S, in response to receiving an input that corresponds to afirst gesture (e.g., contact 5044 and subsequent movement of the contactacross the touch-sensitive surface) the object selection indicator 5010is moved to the updated location (e.g., a location proximate to the“government” hyperlink 5006-5 in FIG. 5R), and the user interface isonly scrolled upwards on the display as far as is necessary to displaythe object selection indicator 5010 within the predefined region 5038(e.g., FIG. 5S), rather than continuing to scroll towards the center ofthe display (e.g., FIG. 5T).

In some embodiments, sending instructions to the display 450 forscrolling the user interface so as to display the updated locationwithin the predefined region of the display 450 includes sending (852)instructions to the display 450 for scrolling the user interface so thatthe object selection indicator is proximate to or at center of thepredefined region of the display 450 (e.g., the user interface isscrolled so that the object selection indicator is at the center of thedisplay 450 when the predefined region is centered on the display 450).For example, in FIGS. 5Q-5T, in response to receiving an input thatcorresponds to a first gesture (e.g., contact 5044 and subsequentmovement of the contact across the touch-sensitive surface 452 in FIG.5Q) the object selection indicator 5010 is moved to the updated location(e.g., a location proximate to the “government” hyperlink 5006-5 in FIG.5R), and the user interface scrolled upwards on the display (e.g., asillustrated in FIGS. 5S-5T) so as to display the object selectionindicator 5010 proximate to the center of the predefined region 5038, asillustrated in FIG. 5T.

As another example of these embodiments, the computing device receivesan input that corresponds to a gesture (e.g., contact 5050 in FIG. 5Tand subsequent movement of the contact on the touch-sensitive surface452), and in response to the gesture the computing device determines anupdated location for the object selection indicator (e.g., bydetermining a trajectory 5052 in FIG. 5U of the object selectionindicator 5010, and identifying a selectable object such as the “longremember” hyperlink selectable object 5006-10 in FIG. 5V that isproximate to an endpoint of the trajectory.) In this example, thecomputing device sends instructions to the display to move the objectselection indicator 5010 from a current location within the userinterface (e.g., the location of the object selection indicator 5010 inFIG. 5U) to the updated location within the user interface (e.g., thelocation of the object selection indicator 5010 in FIG. 5V) that isproximate to a target selectable object (e.g., “long remember” hyperlinkselectable object 5006-10). It should be noted that, in this example,the updated location is at a location in the user interface that is notdisplayed on the display 450 when the gesture is detected. Continuingwith this example, the computing device sends instructions to thedisplay 450 to initially scroll the user interface on the display 450more slowly than the object selection indicator is moved, so that theobject selection indicator moves to an edge of the display 450 (or evenentirely off of the display 450). Subsequently, the object selectionindicator (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5V) reaches the updated location (e.g.,the “long remember” hyperlink selectable object 5006-10) and the objectselection indicator stops moving within the user interface while theuser interface continues to be scrolled on the display (e.g., asillustrated in FIGS. 5V-5W) until the object selection indicator (e.g.,5010 in FIG. 5W) is in the center of the predefined region (e.g., 5038in FIG. 5W).

It is advantageous to scroll the user interface automatically when theupdated location of the object selection indicator is outside of apredefined region of the display because such scrolling allows the userto move the object selection indicator and not perform additional inputsin order to scroll the user interface to show the current location ofthe object selection indicator, thereby creating a more efficient userinterface by reducing the number of inputs required to perform userinterface navigation operations. Additionally, it is advantageous toonly scroll the user interface automatically when the updated locationof the object selection indicator is outside of the predefined region,because such scrolling avoids scrolling the user interface when the useris making fine adjustments to the location of the object selectionindicator, thereby reducing jitter and user confusion that would resultfrom too frequent scrolling of the user interface.

In some embodiments, operations 856-864 are performed (854) aftersending the instructions to the display 450 for moving the objectselection indicator to the updated location and before the objectselection indicator has reached the updated location. For example, theoperations below are performed after receiving an input that correspondsto a gesture (e.g., contact 5054 (FIG. 5W) and subsequent movement ofthe contact across the touch-sensitive surface 452) on thetouch-sensitive surface 452 but before the updated location has beenreached (e.g., while the object selection indicator is still movingalong a trajectory 5056 (FIG. 5X) that was determined based on thegesture on the touch-sensitive surface 452). The computing devicereceives (856) an input that corresponds to a stop input (e.g., a tapand hold gesture 5058 in FIG. 5Y or 5060 in FIG. 5Z that is detectedanywhere on the touch-sensitive surface 452). In these embodiments, inresponse to receiving the input that corresponds to the stop input, thecomputing device sending (858) instructions to the display 450 forceasing to move the object selection indicator at a stopped locationwithin the user interface and sets the stopped location as the updatedlocation of the object selection indicator. For example, if thecomputing device received an input that corresponds to a stop input(e.g., tap gesture 5058 in FIG. 5Y) while the object selection indicator(e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5Y) is moving along a trajectory (e.g., 5056 in FIG.5Y) the computing device sends instructions to the display to stopmoving the object selection indicator (e.g., at a current location ofthe object selection indicator 5010 in FIG. 5Y within the userinterface).

In some embodiments, an input that corresponds to the stop input isreceived while the display 450 is scrolling the user interface, and themethod further comprises sending (860) instructions to the display 450for adjusting the scrolling of the user interface in accordance with thestop input (e.g., the computing device instructs the display to stopscrolling or scroll more slowly or in a different direction in responseto receiving an input that corresponds to a stop input on thetouch-sensitive surface 452). In some embodiments, sending instructionsto the display 450 for adjusting the scrolling of the user interfaceincludes: when the stopped location of the object selection indicator iswithin the predefined region of the display 450, sending (862)instructions to the display 450 for ceasing to scroll the userinterface; and when the stopped location of the object selectionindicator is outside of the predefined region of the display 450,sending (864) instructions to the display 450 for continuing to scrollthe user interface so as to display the current location within thepredefined region of the display 450. In other words, the movement ofthe object selection indicator within the user interface stopsimmediately, and the user interface is only scrolled as far as isnecessary to display the object selection indicator within thepredefined region 5038 of the display 450.

For example, if the computing device received an input that correspondsto a stop input (e.g., tap gesture 5058 in FIG. 5Y) while the objectselection indicator (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5Y) is moving along a trajectory(e.g., 5056 in FIG. 5Y) while the object selection indicator (e.g., 5010in FIG. 5Y) is within the predefined region 5038, the computing devicesends instructions to the display 450 to stop moving the objectselection indicator (e.g., at a current location of the object selectionindicator 5010 in FIG. 5Y within the user interface) and ceasing toscroll the user interface (e.g., all movement of the user interface onthe display stops immediately). As another example, if the computingdevice received an input that corresponds to a stop input (e.g., tapgesture 5060 in FIG. 5Z) while the object selection indicator (e.g.,5010 in FIG. 5Z is moving along a trajectory 5056 in FIG. 5Z) while theobject selection indicator (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5Z) is outside of thepredefined region 5038, the computing device sends instructions to thedisplay 450 to stop moving the object selection indicator (e.g., at acurrent location of the object selection indicator 5010 in FIG. 5Zwithin the user interface) and to continue to scroll the user interfaceon the display 450 so that the object selection indicator (e.g., 5010 inFIG. 5AA) is moved within the predefined region (e.g., 5038 in FIG.5AA), so as to provide a gentle slow down of movement of the userinterface on the display 450. This gentle slow down is advantageousbecause it less jarring to a user than a harsh “full stop” that would becaused by simply stopping the scrolling of the user interfaceimmediately upon receiving a stop input.

In some embodiments, operations 686-870 are performed (866) aftersending instructions to the display 450 for moving the object selectionindicator to the updated location. In some of these embodiments, whilethe object selection indicator is at the target selectable object, thedevice receives (868) an activation input for the target selectableobject (e.g., a single tap gesture, a double tap gesture, an “enter”command, etc. from the touch-sensitive surface 452 or other inputdevice). The touch-sensitive surface 452 can be either integrated withthe computing device or part of a separate device that is incommunication with the computing device. In response to receiving theactivation input for the target selectable object, the device performs(870) an action associated with the target selectable object and sendsinstructions to the display 450 in accordance with the action (e.g.,navigating to a user interface based on a hyperlink associated with thetarget selectable object, entering a text entry field, changing a stateof a selection field such as a radio button, check box, etc.). Forexample, in FIG. 5X, the computing device receives an input thatcorresponds to a tap gesture (e.g., 5053 in FIG. 5X) on thetouch-sensitive surface 452. In response to receiving the input, thecomputing device accesses a webpage that is associated with the “longremembered” hyperlink selectable object 5006-10 and sends instructionsto the display 450 to display the webpage associated with the selectableobject (not shown).

In some embodiments, the touch-sensitive surface 452 includes apredefined scrubbing region for scrubbing through the user interface.When the object selection indicator is moved within a scrubbing region(e.g., 5061 in FIGS. 5AA-5CC) that is parallel to a vertical edge of thetouch-sensitive surface 452, inputs that correspond to gestures on thetouch-sensitive surface 452 within the scrubbing region (e.g., 5061 inFIGS. 5AA-5CC) are interpreted as scrubbing commands. These inputs arereceived by the computing device and cause the computing device to sendinstructions to the display 450 for scrolling through the user interfacein accordance with a position of the contact within the scrubbing region5061. For example, in FIG. 5BB, the computing device receives an input(e.g., a contact 5063 at a location 5063-a in FIG. 5BB on the touchsensitive surface 452) that corresponds to a location on thetouch-sensitive surface 452 that is within the scrubbing region 5061. Inresponse, the computing device sends instructions to the display 450 toscroll the user interface so as to display a portion of the userinterface that corresponds to the location of the object selectionindicator within the scrubbing region 5061 (e.g., as illustrated in FIG.5BB). As another example, in response to detecting an input thatcorresponds to movement within the scrubbing region 5061 (e.g., movementof a contact 5063 from a first location 5063-a in FIG. 5BB to a secondlocation 5063-b in FIG. 5CC on the touch sensitive surface 452), thecomputing device sends instructions to the display 450 to scroll throughthe user interface in accordance with the movement of the contact 5063within the scrubbing region 5061 on the touch-sensitive surface (e.g.,scrolling to the top of the user interface when the object selectionindicator is at the top of the scrubbing region 5061, as illustrated inFIG. 5CC).

In some embodiments, the display 450 includes a predefined scrubbingregion for scrubbing through the user interface. When the objectselection indicator is moved within a scrubbing region (e.g., 5062 inFIGS. 5AA-5CC) that is parallel to a vertical edge of the display 450,inputs that correspond to gestures on the touch-sensitive surface 452are interpreted as scrubbing commands (e.g., movement of the contactthat corresponds to movement of the object selection indicator from thebottom of the scrubbing region to the top of the scrubbing region).These inputs are received by the computing device and cause thecomputing device to send instructions to the display 450 for scrollingthrough the user interface in accordance with a speed of movement of thecontact. For example, in FIG. 5AA, the computing device receives aninput (e.g., movement of a contact 5064 from a first location 5064-a inFIG. 5AA to a second location 5064-b in FIG. 5BB on the touch sensitivesurface 452) that corresponds to a request to move (e.g., along atrajectory 5066 that is determined based on the input received from thetouch-sensitive surface 452) the object selection indicator (e.g., 5010in FIG. 5AA) into the scrubbing region (e.g., 5062 in FIG. 5AA). Inresponse, the computing device sends instructions to the display 450 tomove the object selection indicator 5010 into the scrubbing region andscroll the user interface so as to display a portion of the userinterface that corresponds to the location of the object selectionindicator within the scrubbing region (e.g., as illustrated in FIG.5BB). As another example, in response to detecting an input (e.g.,movement of a contact 5064 from a second location 5064-b in FIG. 5BB toa third location 5064-c in FIG. 5CC on the touch sensitive surface 452)that corresponds to a request to move (e.g., along a trajectory 5068that is determined based on the input received from the touch-sensitivesurface 452) the object selection indicator (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5BB)within the scrubbing region (e.g., 5062 in FIG. 5BB), the computingdevice sends instructions to the display 450 to move the objectselection indicator (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5BB) within the scrubbing region(e.g., 5062 in FIG. 5BB) and scroll through the user interfaceaccordingly (e.g., scrolling to the top of the user interface when theobject selection indicator is at the top of the scrubbing region 5062,as illustrated in FIG. 5CC).

In some embodiments, the display 450 includes a scroll speed controlregion for scrolling through the user interface at a predeterminedscrolling speed. In some of these embodiments, when the object selectionindicator is within a scroll speed control region (e.g., a region 5066-1at a top edge of the display or a region 5066-2 at bottom edge of thedisplay 450) and the object selection indicator remains in the scrollspeed control region for at least a predetermined amount of time, thecomputing device sends instructions to the display 450 for scrolling theuser interface at a predetermined scroll speed in a direction that isdetermined based on a location of the contact within the scroll speedcontrol region (e.g., when the object selection indicator is in a scrollspeed control region 5066-1 at the top of the display 450, the computingdevice sends instructions to the display 450 for scrolling up/down at apredefined rate, while when the object selection indicator is in ascroll speed control region 5066-2 at the bottom of the display 450, thecomputing device sends instructions to the display 450 for scrollingdown/up at the predefined rate, etc.).

For example, in FIG. 5DD, the computing device receives an input (e.g.,movement of a contact 5065 from a first location 5065-a in FIG. 5DD to asecond location 5065-b in FIG. 5EE on the touch sensitive surface 452)that corresponds to a request to move (e.g., along a trajectory 5070that is determined based on the input received from the touch-sensitivesurface 452) the object selection indicator (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5DD)into the scroll speed control region (e.g., 5066-2 in FIG. 5DD). Inresponse, the computing device moves object selection indicator into thescroll speed control region. In some embodiments, once the objectselection indicator (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5EE) is within the scroll speedcontrol region (e.g., 5066-2 in FIGS. 5EE-5GG), the computing devicecontinues to send instructions to the display to scroll through the userinterface (e.g., at a predetermined speed in a predetermined direction)until the computing device receives an input that corresponds to anrequest to move the object selection indicator out of the scroll speedcontrol region. Continuing the example from above, while the objectselection indicator (e.g., 5010 in FIGS. 5EE-5FF) continues to bedisplayed in the scroll speed control region (e.g., 5066-2 in FIG.5EE-5FF), the computing device continues to send instructions to thedisplay 450 to scroll through the user interface, however once thecomputing device receives an input that is indicative of an end of thecontact with the touch-sensitive surface (e.g., liftoff of the contact5065-b in FIGS. 5FF-5GG), the computing device sends instructions to thedisplay 450 to stop moving the object selection indicator through theuser interface, and to scroll the user interface only as far as isneeded to display the object selection indicator (e.g., 5010 in FIG.5HH) within the predefined region (e.g., 5038 in FIG. 5HH).

In some embodiments, once the computing device receives an input thatindicates that the input with the touch-sensitive surface 452 has ended,the computing device sends instructions to the display 450 to move andresize the object selection indicator to a location and size of a targetselectable object (e.g., “Top Story 1” hyperlink selectable object5006-11 in FIG. 5HH), and the device moves and resizes the objectselection indicator (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5II) so as to encompass thetarget selectable object (e.g., “Top Story 1” hyperlink selectableobject 5006-11 in FIG. 5HH). In some embodiments, the computing devicesends instructions to the display 450 to scroll the user interface onlyas far as is needed to display the object selection indicator (e.g.,5010 in FIG. 5JJ) within the predefined region (e.g., 5038 in FIG. 5JJ).

Note that details of other processes described herein with respect tomethods 600, 700, 900 (e.g., FIGS. 6A-6C, 7A-7C, 9A-9D and 5A-5SS) arealso applicable in an analogous manner to the method 800 describedabove. For example, the selectable objects 5006 (e.g., hyperlinks,advertisements, images, videos) and object selection indicator 5010described with reference to FIGS. 8A-8E may have one or more of thecharacteristics of the various selectable objects 5006 and objectselection indicator 5010 described herein with reference to any ofmethods 600, 700, and/or 900. For brevity, these details are notrepeated here.

FIGS. 9A-9D are flow diagrams illustrating a method 900 of navigatingthrough a user interface by translating a user interface or redisplayingan object selection indicator in accordance with some embodiments. Themethod 900 is performed at a computing device (e.g., device 300, FIG. 3,or portable multifunction device 100, FIGS. 1A-1B) that is incommunication with a display (e.g., 450 in FIGS. 5A-5SS) and atouch-sensitive surface (e.g., 452 in FIGS. 5A-5SS). In someembodiments, the display and/or the touch-sensitive surface are separatefrom the device (e.g., either as part of separate computing devices orwirelessly connected to the computing device). In some embodiments, thedisplay and/or the touch-sensitive surface are integrated into thecomputing device. In some embodiments, the display is a touch screendisplay and the touch-sensitive surface is on the display. In someembodiments, the display is separate from the touch-sensitive surface.Some operations in method 900 may be combined and/or the order of someoperations may be changed.

As described below, the method 900 provides an intuitive way to navigatethrough a user interface by translating a user interface or redisplayingan object selection indicator. The method reduces the cognitive burdenon a user when navigating through a user interface, thereby creating amore efficient human-machine interface. For battery-operated computingdevices, enabling a user to navigate through a user interface faster andmore efficiently conserves power and increases the time between batterycharges.

The computing device sends (902) instructions to the display 450 fordisplaying, concurrently, an object selection indicator and a portion ofa user interface, the user interface having one or more selectableobjects. While the examples described herein primarily refer to the userinterface as a webpage, it should be understood that the user interfacecould be any user interface that includes selectable objects (e.g., anapplication user interface, an electronic document, an operating systemuser interface, etc.) The user interface has one or more selectableobjects (e.g., 5006 in FIGS. 5A-5SS). In some embodiments, the userinterface includes a plurality of selectable objects. In someembodiments, the user interface includes an electronic document with aplurality of selectable objects. In some embodiments, the selectableobjects include one or more hyperlinks (e.g., 5006-10, 5006-11, 5006-12,5006-13, 5006-16, 5006-17 in FIG. 5JJ), photos, advertisements (e.g.,5006-14 and 5006-15 in FIG. 5JJ) blocks of text, videos, icons, textfields, option selection interfaces or the like. In some embodiments,the object selection indicator is displayed in response to detecting afirst gesture.

The computing device sends (904) instructions to the display 450 forceasing to display the object selection indicator. In some embodiments,the instructions for ceasing to display an object selection indicatorare sent (906) to the display 450 in response to detecting predefinedobject selection indicator hiding criteria (e.g., the predefinedcondition is that the object selection indicator is not currentlyassociated with any of the selectable objects and a predetermined amountof time has passed, such as 0.2 seconds, 0.5 seconds, 1 second, etc).For example, in FIG. 5JJ the computing device receives an input thatcorresponds to a swipe gesture on a touch-sensitive surface (e.g.,contact 5072 in FIG. 5JJ and subsequent movement of the contact 5072across the touch-sensitive surface 452). In response to detecting theinput, the computing device sends instructions to the display to movethe object selection indicator (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5JJ) in accordancewith a trajectory (e.g., 5074 in FIG. 5JJ) that is determined based onthe swipe gesture. In some embodiments, the computing device attempts toidentify a target selectable object as described in greater detail abovewith reference to method 600. However, in this example, the computingdevice fails to identify any target selectable object, and so thecomputing device sends instructions to the display 450 to move theobject selection indicator (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5KK) to a location thatis proximate to a termination point of the trajectory without selectingany of the selectable objects. In this example, after a predeterminedperiod of time (e.g., 0.5 seconds), the object selection indicatorceases to be displayed (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 5LL), where noobject selection indicator is displayed.

After sending instructions to the display 450 for ceasing to display theobject selection indicator (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 5LL where theobject selection indicator has ceased to be displayed), the computingdevice receives (908) an input that corresponds to a first gesturedetected on the touch-sensitive surface 452. As one example, the firstgesture includes contact 5074 and subsequent movement of the contact5074 across the touch-sensitive surface 452 or the first gestureincludes contact 5076 and subsequent movement of the contact 5076 acrossthe touch-sensitive surface 452, as illustrated in FIG. 5LL. In someembodiments, the gesture is a tap and hold gesture, a tap and draggesture, a flick gesture or other contact-based gesture. In someembodiments, the first gesture is a single contact swipe gesture (e.g.,the swipe gesture including contact 5074 in FIG. 5LL or the swipegesture including contact 5076 in FIG. 5LL). In some embodiments, thefirst gesture is a multi-contact swipe gesture. In some embodiments, thefirst gesture includes lateral movement of one or more contacts in asame direction on the touch-sensitive surface 452. In some embodiments,the input is received at the computing device from a remote device(e.g., either raw contact data or processed gesture outputs). Forexample, in FIG. 5LL, the touch-sensitive surface 452 detects a gestureincluding a contact 5074 on the touch-sensitive surface 452 andsubsequent movement of the contact 5024 across the touch-sensitivesurface 452 and sends an input to the computing device that correspondsto the detected gesture. In some embodiments, the input is received froma touch-sensitive surface 452 that is integrated with the computingdevice (e.g., a touchpad on a laptop or a touch screen display).

Operations 912-952 are performed (910) in response to receiving theinput that corresponds to the first gesture (e.g., an input thatcorresponds to the swipe gesture including contact 5074 or the swipegesture including contact 5076).

When the first gesture meets predefined navigation criteria, the devicesends (912) instructions to the display 450 for translating the userinterface (e.g., lateral translation of the user interface by onedimensional scrolling or two dimensional scrolling) in accordance withthe first gesture without redisplaying the object selection indicator.The navigation criteria include (914) a requirement that the firstgesture has a duration that is less than a predefined time threshold(e.g., 0.05 seconds, 0.1 seconds, 0.2 seconds, or any reasonable timethreshold). For example, in FIG. 5LL, if the first gesture is the swipegesture including contact 5074 and the first gesture has a duration thatis less than 0.05 seconds, the computing device sends instructions totranslate the user interface in accordance with the first gesture. Insome embodiments, navigating through the user interface includesscrolling from the displayed portion of the user interface to adifferent portion of the user interface. In other words, the userinterface is a single contiguous user interface (i.e., not a set oflinked user interfaces such as a set of separate tabs in a browser orsequential screens in an application). For example, in FIG. 5MM, inresponse to detecting the swipe gesture that includes contact 5074, thecomputing device sends instructions to the display to scroll the userinterface downwards on the display (e.g., so as to display a portion ofthe webpage that is closer to the top of the webpage). As anotherexample, in FIG. 5NN, in response to the swipe gesture including contact5074, the computing device sends instructions to the display to scrollthe user interface upwards on the display (e.g., so as to display aportion of the webpage that is closer to the bottom of the webpage). Itis advantageous to not redisplay the object selection indicator when theuser has provided an indication that the user wants to scroll throughcontent rather than select any particular object (e.g., by providing aquick swipe gesture rather than a slower swipe gesture).

In some embodiments, the navigation criteria further include (915) arequirement that the first gesture would have corresponded to movementof the object selection indicator more than a predefined distanceoutside of the portion of the user interface that was displayedimmediately prior to detecting the first gesture (e.g., more than 0.5times the width or 0.5 times the height of the portion of the userinterface). For example, if the user interface is a 4,000 pixel wide by10,000 pixel high webpage, and the portion of the user interface that isdisplayed is 1920 pixels wide by 1080 pixels high (e.g., a webpagedisplayed on a 1080 p, 16:9 aspect ratio display), and the computingdevice receives an input that corresponds to an upwards swipe gesture onthe touch-sensitive surface 452 that would have corresponded to movingthe object selection indicator to a position in the webpage that is morethan 540 pixels above the top of the displayed portion of the webpage,if the object selection indicator were still displayed (e.g., at itslast displayed location or at a predefined position such as a center ofthe portion of the user interface), then the webpage would be scrolledon the display 450 without redisplaying the object selection indicator.In some embodiments, the navigation criteria further include (916) arequirement that the first gesture includes movement above a predefineddistance threshold (e.g., movement on the touch-sensitive surface 452that corresponds to movement of the object selection indicator on thedisplay 450 that is greater than 1000 pixels, 1500 pixels, 2000 pixelsor any reasonable distance threshold). In some embodiments, thenavigation criteria further include (918) a requirement that the firstgesture includes movement above a predefined speed threshold (e.g.,movement on the touch-sensitive surface 452 that corresponds to movementof the object selection indicator at a speed that is greater than 50pixels/second, 75 pixels/second, 125 pixels/second or any reasonablespeed threshold on the display 450).

Operations 922-948 are performed (920) when the first gesture meetspredefined object selection indicator movement criteria. The objectselection indicator movement criteria including a requirement that thefirst gesture has a duration that is greater than the predefined timethreshold. For example, the operations described below with reference toFIGS. 5OO-5PP or FIGS. 5QQ-5SS are performed when the first gesture isthe swipe gesture including contact 5076 in FIG. 5LL, and the firstgesture has a duration that is greater than 0.05 seconds. It isadvantageous to redisplay the object selection indicator when the userhas provided an indication that the user wants to select an objectrather than merely scroll through the user interface (e.g., by providinga slow swipe gesture rather than a relatively quick swipe gesture).

The computing device sends (922) instructions to the display 450 forredisplaying the object selection indicator. For example, in FIG. 5OO,after detecting the swipe gesture including contact 5076, the computingdevice sends instructions to the display 450 to redisplay the objectselection indicator (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5OO). In some embodiments, theinstructions for redisplaying the object selection indicator includeinstructions for redisplaying (924) the object selection indicator at apredefined location on the display 450 (e.g., the object selectionindicator is redisplayed at the center of the display 450). For example,in FIG. 5OO, the object selection indicator (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5OO) isredisplayed in the center of the display 450. In some embodiments, theinstructions for redisplaying the object selection indicator includeinstructions for redisplaying (926) the object selection indicator at alocation on the display 450 that corresponds to a location of the objectselection indicator immediately before it ceased to be displayed (e.g.,the object selection indicator is redisplayed at the last-known-locationon the display 450). For example, in FIG. 5QQ, the object selectionindicator (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5QQ) is redisplayed at the same locationthat the object selection indicator was displayed immediately before itpreviously ceased to be displayed (e.g., the location of the objectselection indicator 5010 in FIG. 5KK).

The computing device sends (928) instructions to the display 450 to movethe object selection indicator in accordance with the first gesture. Itshould be understood that operations that are performed in accordancewith the first gesture are made in accordance with an input thatcorresponds to the first gesture (e.g., the first gesture is detected ata touch-sensitive surface 452 that is distinct from the computing deviceand the touch-sensitive surface 452 sends the input to the computingdevice). For example, in FIG. 5LL the touch-sensitive surface 452detects a swipe gesture including contact 5076 that meets the objectselection indicator movement criteria and sends an input thatcorresponds to the detected swipe gesture that includes contact 5076 tothe computing device. Continuing this example, in FIG. 5OO, thecomputing device sends instructions to the display 450 to move theredisplayed object selection indicator (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5OO) inaccordance with a trajectory (e.g., 5078 in FIG. 5OO) that is determinedbased on the first input (e.g., the swipe gesture including contact 5076in FIG. 5LL).

In some embodiments, sending instructions to the display 450 for movingthe object selection indicator in accordance with the first gestureincludes sending (930) instructions to the display 450 for moving theobject selection indicator without translating the user interface (e.g.,without any lateral translation of the user interface). For example, inFIG. 5OO the object selection indicator (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5OO) isredisplayed in a center of the display and moves along a trajectory5078, towards a selectable object (e.g., “Top Story 1” hyperlinkselectable object 5006-11 in FIG. 5OO). Continuing this example, theselectable object (e.g., 5006-11 in FIG. 5OO) is identified as a targetselectable object and the object selection indicator is resized (e.g.,to a size of the object selection indicator 5010 in FIG. 5PP) and movedto a location (e.g., a location of the object selection indicator 5010in FIG. 5PP) that is proximate to the selectable object (e.g., “TopStory 1” hyperlink selectable object indicator in FIG. 5PP) withoutscrolling the user interface.

In some embodiments, sending instructions to the display 450 for movingthe object selection indicator in accordance with the first gestureincludes sending (932) instructions to the display 450 for moving theobject selection indicator to an updated location within the userinterface. When the updated location corresponds to a portion of theuser interface that is outside of a predefined region (e.g., region 5038in FIG. 5QQ) of the display 450, the computing device sends (934)instructions to the display 450 for translating the user interface(e.g., lateral translation of the user interface by one dimensionalscrolling or two dimensional scrolling) so as to display the updatedlocation of the object selection indicator within the predefined regionof the display 450 (e.g., as described in greater detail above withreference to method 800). For example in FIG. 5QQ the computing devicesends instructions to the display 450 to move the object selectionindicator (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5QQ) to an updated location that isoutside of the predefined region (e.g., 5038 in FIG. 5QQ). In theexample illustrated in FIG. 5QQ-5SS the updated location is a locationproximate to the “image 5” selectable object 5006-18 in FIGS. 5RR-5SS,which is not displayed on the display 450 in FIG. 5QQ and thus isoutside of the predefined region 5038 in FIG. 5QQ. Thus, the computingdevice sends instructions to the display 450 to scroll the userinterface so as to display the updated location of the object selectionindicator (e.g., 5010 in FIG. 5SS) within the predefined region (e.g.,5038 in FIG. 5SS). In some embodiments, the computing device sendsinstructions to the display to display 450 an animation of the objectselection indicator resizing and moving across the display (e.g., fromobject selection indicator 5010 in FIG. 5QQ to object selectionindicator 5010 in FIG. 5RR to object selection indicator 5010 in FIG.5SS) while the user interface is being scrolled on the display.Additionally, as described in greater detail above, in some embodimentsthe predefined region of the display is only a subset of the display,while in other embodiments the predefined region of the display includesthe entire display.

In some embodiments, sending instructions to the display 450 for movingthe object selection indicator in accordance with the first gestureincludes: determining (938) a direction of movement of the objectselection indicator based on a direction of the first gesture on thetouch-sensitive surface 452; identifying (940) a target selectableobject that is in the determined direction of movement; and sending(942) instructions to the display 450 for moving the object selectionindicator to a location that is proximate to or at a location of thetarget selectable object (e.g., as described in greater detail abovewith reference to method 800). For example, in FIGS. 5QQ-5SS, thecomputing device determines a direction of movement of the objectselection indicator (e.g., 5010 in FIGS. 5QQ-5SS) that is based on adirection of movement of the first gesture (e.g., the first gesture is adownward swipe gesture including contact 5076 in FIG. 5LL and the objectselection indicator 5010 in FIGS. 5QQ-5RR is moved towards a bottom ofthe webpage) to a location that is proximate to a target selectableobject (e.g., the “Image 5” selectable object 5006-18 in FIGS. 5RR-5SS),as illustrated in FIGS. 5RR-5SS.

In some embodiments, operations 946-948 are performed (944) aftersending instructions to the display 450 for moving the object selectionindicator. In some of these embodiments, while the object selectionindicator is at the target selectable object, the device receives (946)an activation input for the target selectable object (e.g., a single tapgesture, a double tap gesture, an “enter” command, etc. from thetouch-sensitive surface 452 or other input device). It should beunderstood that the touch-sensitive surface 452 can be either integratedwith the computing device or part of a separate device that is incommunication with the computing device. In some of these embodiments,in response to receiving the activation input for the target selectableobject, the computing device performs (948) an action associated withthe target selectable object and sends instructions to the display 450in accordance with the action (e.g., navigating to a user interfacebased on a hyperlink associated with the target selectable object,entering a text entry field, changing a state of a selection field suchas a radio button, check box, etc.). For example, in FIG. 5SS, thecomputing device receives an input that corresponds to a tap gesture(e.g., 5082 in FIG. 5SS) on the touch-sensitive surface 452. In responseto receiving the input, the computing device accesses an advertisementassociated with the “Image 5” selectable object 5006-18 and sendsinstructions to the display 450 to display a user interface (e.g., anews story, an image viewing interface, a webpage, etc.) associated withthe selectable object (not shown).

It should be understood that the discussion above with respect to FIGS.5U-5W show, in response to a swipe gesture in FIG. 5T on thetouch-sensitive surface 452, redisplaying the object selectionindicator, moving the object selection indicator and scrolling the userinterface as necessary to display the object selection indicator withinthe predefined region of the display 450. In contrast, the discussionabove with respect to FIGS. 5MM-5NN shows, in response to a swipegesture in FIG. 5LL detected on the touch-sensitive surface 452,scrolling the user interface on the display 450 in accordance with theswipe gesture without redisplaying the object selection indicator. Inother words, if the object selection indicator is displayed (as shown inFIGS. 5T-5W), a swipe gesture on the touch-sensitive surface 452 whilethe object selection indicator is displayed causes the object selectionindicator to move and the user interface is scrolled if necessary todisplay the object selection indicator on the display 450; in contrast,if the object selection indicator is not displayed (as shown in FIGS.5LL-5NN, a swipe gesture on the touch-sensitive surface causes the userinterface to be scrolled in accordance with the swipe gesture withoutredisplaying the object selection indicator. Additionally, it shouldalso be understood that, in some embodiments, a respective gesture thatincludes movement below a predefined threshold (e.g., a gesture thatcorresponds to a movement of the object selection indicator within thepredefined region of the display): when the respective gesture isdetected while the object selection indicator is displayed the objectselection indicator is moved without scrolling the user interface on thedisplay; and when the respective gesture is detected while the objectselection indicator is not displayed, user interface is scrolled inaccordance with the respective gesture.

In some embodiments, sending instructions to the display 450 fornavigating through the user interface in accordance with the firstgesture without redisplaying the object selection indicator includessending (950) instructions to the display 450 for scrolling the userinterface in a first direction on the display 450; and sendinginstructions to the display 450 for navigating through the userinterface so as to display the updated location of the object selectionindicator within the predefined region of the display 450 includessending instructions to the display 450 for scrolling the user interfacein a second direction on the display 450, wherein the first direction isdistinct from the second direction. In some embodiments, the firstdirection is opposite or substantially opposite from the seconddirection. For example, in FIGS. 5LL-5MM in response to detecting theinput that corresponds to a gesture (e.g., swipe gesture includingcontact 5074 in FIG. 5LL) that meets the predefined navigation criteria,the user interface is scrolled downwards on the display 450 so as toshow a top portion of the user interface on the display 450; incontrast, in FIGS. 5RR-5SS, in response to detecting the input thatcorresponds to a gesture (e.g., swipe gesture including contact 5076 inFIG. 5LL) that meets the object selection indicator movement criteria,the user interface is scrolled upwards on the display 450 so as to showa bottom portion of the user interface on the display 450. In otherwords, in these embodiments, the direction of scrolling the userinterface is dependant on both the direction of the swipe gesture andwhether the swipe gesture meets predefined navigation criteria or objectselection indicator movement criteria.

In contrast, in other embodiments, sending instructions to the display450 for navigating through the user interface in accordance with thefirst gesture without redisplaying the object selection indicatorincludes sending (952) instructions to the display 450 for scrolling theuser interface in a first direction on the display 450; and sendinginstructions to the display 450 for navigating through the userinterface so as to display the updated location of the object selectionindicator within the predefined region 5038 of the display 450 includessending instructions to the display 450 for scrolling the user interfacein the first direction on the display 450. For example, in FIGS. 5LL and5NN, in response to detecting the input that corresponds to a gesture(e.g., swipe gesture including contact 5074 in FIG. 5LL) that meets thepredefined navigation criteria, the user interface is scrolled downwardso as to show a bottom portion of the user interface on the display 450.Similarly, in FIGS. 5RR-5SS, in response to detecting the input thatcorresponds to a gesture (e.g., swipe gesture including contact 5076 inFIG. 5LL) that meets the object selection indicator movement criteriathe user interface is also scrolled upwards on the display so as to showa bottom portion of the user interface on the display 450. In otherwords, in these embodiments, the direction of scrolling the userinterface is dependant on the direction of the swipe gesture.

Note that details of other processes described herein with respect tomethods 600, 700, 800 (e.g., FIGS. 6A-6C, 7A-7C, 8A-8E and 5A-5SS) arealso applicable in an analogous manner to the method 900 describedabove. For example, the selectable objects 5006 (e.g., hyperlinks,advertisements, images, videos) and object selection indicator 5010described with reference to FIGS. 9A-9D may have one or more of thecharacteristics of the various selectable objects 5006 and objectselection indicator 5010 described herein with reference to any ofmethods 600, 700 and/or 800. For brevity, these details are not repeatedhere.

The operations in the information processing methods described above maybe implemented by running one or more functional modules in informationprocessing apparatus such as general purpose processors or applicationspecific chips. These modules, combinations of these modules, and/ortheir combination with hardware (e.g., as described above with respectto FIGS. 1A, 1B and 3) are all included within the scope of protectionof the invention.

The operations described above with reference to FIGS. 6A-6C, 7A-7C,8A-8E and 9A-9D may be implemented by one or more of the componentsdepicted in FIGS. 1A-1C, 3 and 4E. For example, receiving operation 604,sending operation 606, and sending operation 630 may be implemented byuser interface navigation logic 480 (e.g., event sorter 170, eventrecognizer 180, and/or event handler 190). In some embodiments, atouch-sensitive surface is part of a device that includes an eventmonitor 171 in event sorter 170 that detects a contact ontouch-sensitive surface 452, and event dispatcher module 174 deliversthe event information to application 136-1 on the computing device thatincludes the user interface navigation logic 480. In some embodiments, arespective event recognizer 180 of application 136-1 on the computingdevice compares the event information to respective event definitions186, and determines whether a first contact at a first location on thetouch-sensitive surface corresponds to a predefined event or sub-event,such movement of an object selection indicator 5010 within the userinterface. When a respective predefined event or sub-event is detected,event recognizer 180 activates an event handler 190 associated with thedetection of the event or sub-event. Event handler 190 may utilize orcall data updater 176, object updater 177 or GUI updater 178 to updatethe application internal state 192. In some embodiments, event handler190 accesses a respective GUI updater 178 to update what is displayed bythe application. Similarly, it would be clear to a person havingordinary skill in the art how other processes can be implemented basedon the components depicted in FIGS. 1A-1C.

The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has beendescribed with reference to specific embodiments. However, theillustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modificationsand variations are possible in view of the above teachings. Theembodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and its practical applications, to therebyenable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention andvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computing device that is in communication with a display and a touch-sensitive surface, comprising: one or more processors; memory; and one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for: sending instructions to the display for displaying at least a portion of a user interface, the user interface having one or more selectable objects; receiving an input that corresponds to a first gesture detected on the touch-sensitive surface, wherein the first gesture includes lateral movement of a respective contact on the touch-sensitive surface and liftoff of the respective contact from the touch-sensitive surface; sending instructions to the display for displaying an object selection indicator; and in response to receiving at least a portion of the input that corresponds to the first gesture: moving the object selection indicator in accordance with the first gesture while the respective contact is detected on the touch-sensitive surface; after detecting liftoff of the respective contact from the touch-sensitive surface, determining a termination point of movement of the object selection indicator based on the first gesture; searching for a target selectable object; and sending instructions to the display for moving the object selection indicator, wherein: when a target selectable object is identified, moving the object selection indicator includes continuing to move the object selection indicator towards the target selectable object after detecting liftoff of the respective contact from the touch-sensitive surface, wherein the target selectable object is at a location that is different than a location of the termination point; and when a target selectable object is not identified, moving the object selection indicator includes continuing to move the object selection indicator towards the termination point after detecting liftoff of the respective contact from the touch-sensitive surface.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein searching for the target selectable object includes searching for the target selectable object in accordance with the first gesture.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein sending instructions to the display for moving the object selection indicator towards the termination point includes: calculating a trajectory of the object selection indicator based on the first gesture, wherein the termination point corresponds to an end of the trajectory; and sending instructions to the display for moving the object selection indicator to the termination point.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein searching for the target selectable object includes: calculating a trajectory of the object selection indicator based on the first gesture, wherein the termination point corresponds to an end of the trajectory; searching for one or more candidate selectable objects that meet predefined candidate criteria; and when one or more candidate selectable objects are found, identifying a respective candidate selectable object as the target selectable object.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the respective candidate selectable object is identified as the target selectable object based on proximity of the respective candidate selectable object to the termination point.
 6. The device of claim 4, wherein, when no candidate selectable objects are found, sending instructions to the display for moving the object selection indicator in accordance with the first gesture includes sending instructions to the display for moving the object selection indicator to the termination point.
 7. The device of claim 4, wherein the trajectory is calculated based on simulated physical properties of the object selection indicator.
 8. The device of claim 4, wherein the candidate criteria are met for a respective selectable object if the respective selectable object is within a predefined distance of the termination point.
 9. The device of claim 4, wherein identifying one of the candidate selectable objects as the target selectable object includes selecting a respective candidate selectable object that is closest to the termination point as the target selectable object.
 10. A method comprising: at a computing device with one or more processors and memory, wherein the device is in communication with a display and a touch-sensitive surface: sending instructions to the display for displaying at least a portion of a user interface, the user interface having one or more selectable objects; receiving an input that corresponds to a first gesture detected on the touch-sensitive surface, wherein the first gesture includes lateral movement of a respective contact on the touch-sensitive surface and liftoff of the respective contact from the touch-sensitive surface; sending instructions to the display for displaying an object selection indicator; and in response to receiving at least a portion of the input that corresponds to the first gesture: moving the object selection indicator in accordance with the first gesture while the respective contact is detected on the touch-sensitive surface; after detecting liftoff of the respective contact from the touch-sensitive surface, determining a termination point of movement of the object selection indicator based on the first gesture; searching for a target selectable object; and sending instructions to the display for moving the object selection indicator, wherein: when a target selectable object is identified, moving the object selection indicator includes continuing to move the object selection indicator towards the target selectable object after detecting liftoff of the respective contact from the touch-sensitive surface, wherein the target selectable object is at a location that is different than a location of the termination point; and when a target selectable object is not identified, moving the object selection indicator includes continuing to move the object selection indicator towards the termination point after detecting liftoff of the respective contact from the touch-sensitive surface.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein searching for the target selectable object includes: calculating a trajectory of the object selection indicator based on the first gesture, wherein the termination point corresponds to an end of the trajectory; searching for one or more candidate selectable objects that meet predefined candidate criteria; and when one or more candidate selectable objects are found, identifying a respective candidate selectable object as the target selectable object.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the respective candidate selectable object is identified as the target selectable object based on proximity of the respective candidate selectable object to the termination point.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein, when no candidate selectable objects are found, sending instructions to the display for moving the object selection indicator in accordance with the first gesture includes sending instructions to the display for moving the object selection indicator to the termination point.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the trajectory is calculated based on simulated physical properties of the object selection indicator.
 15. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions, which when executed by a computing device that is in communication with a display and a touch-sensitive surface, cause the device to: send instructions to the display for displaying at least a portion of a user interface, the user interface having one or more selectable objects, wherein the first gesture includes lateral movement of a respective contact on the touch-sensitive surface and liftoff of the respective contact from the touch-sensitive surface; receive an input that corresponds to a first gesture detected on the touch-sensitive surface; send instructions to the display for displaying an object selection indicator; and in response to receiving at least a portion of the input that corresponds to the first gesture: move the object selection indicator in accordance with the first gesture while the respective contact is detected on the touch-sensitive surface; after detecting liftoff of the respective contact from the touch-sensitive surface, determine a termination point of movement of the object selection indicator based on the first gesture; search for a target selectable object; and send instructions to the display for moving the object selection indicator, wherein: when a target selectable object is identified, moving the object selection indicator includes continuing to move the object selection indicator towards the target selectable object after detecting liftoff of the respective contact from the touch-sensitive surface, wherein the target selectable object is at a location that is different than a location of the termination point; and when a target selectable object is not identified, moving the object selection indicator includes continuing to move the object selection indicator towards the termination point after detecting liftoff of the respective contact from the touch-sensitive surface.
 16. The computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein searching for the target selectable object includes: calculating a trajectory of the object selection indicator based on the first gesture, wherein the termination point corresponds to an end of the trajectory; searching for one or more candidate selectable objects that meet predefined candidate criteria; and when one or more candidate selectable objects are found, identifying a respective candidate selectable object as the target selectable object.
 17. The computer readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the respective candidate selectable object is identified as the target selectable object based on proximity of the respective candidate selectable object to the termination point.
 18. The computer readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein, when no candidate selectable objects are found, sending instructions to the display for moving the object selection indicator in accordance with the first gesture includes sending instructions to the display for moving the object selection indicator to the termination point.
 19. The computer readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the trajectory is calculated based on simulated physical properties of the object selection indicator. 